Network Specialist Solutions Engineer

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. 

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD. 

AHEAD’s Mid-Market 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 Mid-Market Modern Datacenter Specialist Solutions Engineer (SSE) will be focused on Networking technologies, including switches, routers, firewalls, and other products used to manage and secure networks. 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. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Active participation in the AHEAD Mid-Market SSE and service delivery teams.  
• Be a thought leader for AHEAD Mid-Market clients, responsible for designing, architecting technical solutions. 
• 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 Modern Datacenter 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.  
• Travel required up to 20% 

Education and Experience

• 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 
• Palo Alto requested certifications: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) 
• Experience with: Palo Alto Networks technologies such as Strata Cloud Manager, Prisma Access, GlobalProtect VPN, and Panorama centralized management platform. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• 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.  

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

USA Employment Benefits include: 

- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

- 401(k) 

- Paid company holidays 

- Paid time off 

- Paid parental and caregiver leave 

- Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details. 

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.