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The Role
Provides expert networking guidance for complex customer solutions, combining technical architecture with consultative sales. Designs and presents Cisco, datacenter, SDN, security, load-balancing, edge, and cloud solutions; qualifies opportunities; prepares proposals, configurations, pricing, and business justifications; supports sales engagements; maintains vendor relationships; and mentors junior team members.
Summary Generated by Built In
AHEAD’s Specialist Solutions Engineers are the technical experts that collaborate with our AHEAD account teams to help identify, qualify, and build solutions that support our customer’s Digital Business transformation.
The AHEAD Network Specialist Solutions Engineer (SSE) will be focused on Networking technologies. A core tenet and base requirement for this position is mastery of Cisco Route/Switch and/or Datacenter technologies. Outside of this core tenet, our expectation is to attract, recruit and attain resources who have a desire to focus not only on traditional on-premises Cisco solutions, but also to be looking to career, technology and skill advancement by being actively willing to demonstrate skills and ability to learn new technologies including multiple SDN solutions, network security, load balancing, edge / acceleration, and cloud technologies. Understanding that the impetus and impact of Cloud computing is real and should be incorporated into solutions is key. Experience or eagerness to learn about and with network and system / access design with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure or other cloud services is a key requirement.
The SSE is considered a subject matter expert in these areas with responsibility for selling and designing complex solutions. The SSE is also considered an organizational thought leader for their specialty area.
Responsibilities:
- Active participation in the AHEAD Network SSE team, advisory and delivery teams.
- Working with the AHEAD partner management team and directly with selected strategic vendors to maintain technical and sales relationships.
- Be a thought leader within the Solutions Engineering organization, responsible for designing, architecting, and at times consulting for AHEAD clients.
- Build skills, relationships, and industry credibility across many segments to drive product, services, and consulting sales.
- Support the sales teams during engagements by providing advice and solutions or proposals optimized to meet customer technical and business requirements.
- Develop relationships with other Network SSE team members, leaders, and partners in support of sales objectives.
- Strategize and execute technical sales calls.
- Complete required pre-sales documentation (configurations, pricing, services, presentations, justifications, etc.) quickly and accurately.
- Qualify sales opportunities in terms of customer technical requirements, decision-making process, and funding.
- Present and market the design and value of proposed AHEAD solutions and business justification to customers, prospects, and AHEAD management.
- Participate in the mentorship of entry-level team members.
- Possess strong, detailed product/technology/industry knowledge.
- Knowledge of job-associated software and applications.
Qualifications:
- Network Infrastructure Experience
- Cisco certifications are required. Examples: CCIE, CCNP
- Cisco Nexus 9K, ACI, 7K, 5K, 2K, 1K
- Experience with Converged Network Fabrics / Converged Infrastructure Systems.
- IP Routing Protocols
- Layer 2 protocols and technologies
- Cisco Core Datacenter Technologies
- ACI
- Network Management
- MPLS,DMVPN, Multicast
- Firewalls,VPN, IPSec / L2TP etc.
- Network Security
Other Skills:
- Innovation Mindset: Ability to identify and leverage emerging Datacenter technologies to drive innovative solutions that meet evolving client needs.
- Automation Expertise: Advanced understanding of automation frameworks and scripting to optimize Datacenter operations and reduce manual effort.
- Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills with a focus on troubleshooting complex Datacenter environments, including storage, compute, and networking issues.
- Consultative Approach: Ability to engage with clients as a trusted advisor, guiding them through the decision-making process with clear, strategic recommendations.
- Collaboration Skills: Proven track record of working effectively across teams, including sales, engineering, and vendor partners, to deliver cohesive solutions.
- Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated on the latest industry trends, certifications, and best practices related to Datacenter technologies.
- Security Awareness: Knowledge of Network security best practices, ensuring that proposed solutions adhere to compliance and regulatory standards.
Skills Required
- Network infrastructure experience
- Required Cisco certification, such as CCIE or CCNP
- Experience with Cisco Nexus 9K, ACI, 7K, 5K, 2K, or 1K technologies
- Experience with converged network fabrics or converged infrastructure systems
- Knowledge of IP routing protocols
- Knowledge of Layer 2 protocols and technologies
- Knowledge of Cisco core datacenter technologies
- Knowledge of network management
- Knowledge of MPLS, DMVPN, and multicast
- Knowledge of firewalls, VPN, IPSec, and L2TP
- Network security knowledge
- Ability to learn and work with SDN, load balancing, edge acceleration, and cloud technologies
- Experience or willingness to learn network and system access design using Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, or other cloud services
- Automation frameworks and scripting expertise
- Strong analytical and complex datacenter troubleshooting skills
- Consultative client engagement and trusted-advisor skills
- Ability to collaborate with sales, engineering, and vendor partners
AHEAD Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AHEAD and has not been reviewed or approved by AHEAD.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar on the first $5,000 each year, with matching made each pay period and immediate 100% vesting. This structure signals above-standard employer support for retirement savings.
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Affordable Benefits — Medical options include low employee premiums for PPO and HDHP plans, and the HDHP adds employer HSA funding plus a dollar-for-dollar HSA match up to stated amounts. Dental and vision plans list very low per-paycheck costs, helping keep overall healthcare spend manageable.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — No-cost telemedicine (including virtual mental health when enrolled), free Calm access for the employee and dependents, and an EAP with counseling are included. Company-paid life and disability plus voluntary protections (legal/ID, pet insurance) and other extras round out a comprehensive set of supports.
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The Company
What We Do
AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together cloud infrastructure, intelligent operations, and modern applications, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.
