Presales Solutions Architect - Modern Data Center

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. 

The AHEAD Modern Datacenter Specialty Solutions Engineer (SSE) in India will be focused on Datacenter technologies, with a core specialization in enterprise storage (block & file), compute platforms, virtualization, and a broad understanding of data protection. The SSE is considered a subject matter expert in these areas with responsibility for selling and designing complex, large‑scale solutions. The SSE is also viewed as an organizational thought leader for their specialty domain.

You will work in partnership with sales representatives, practice leaders, and other SSE team members to build a market strategy and assist with account planning for existing and prospective clients—primarily serving U.S.-based enterprise customers. As part of this strategy, you will help sales teams identify appropriate technologies and vendor partnerships for client needs across regions. You will assist in driving these strategies throughout active sales campaigns.

In partnership with other senior and principal SSEs in your practice, you will support the creation of architectural diagrams, bills of materials, proposal content, and technical documentation associated with active pursuits. You will achieve and maintain training and certifications required to position and sell the solutions we recommend.

Time management and prioritization are essential to success in this role. You will help define strategy, analyze and compare alternative approaches, and build key customer and partner relationships. Sizing, assessing, and configuring compute and storage solutions—often using tools such as RVtools and LiveOptics—will be integral to your responsibilities. Positioning and leveraging subject matter experts and other AHEAD consultants is critical to scaling effectiveness across accounts.

Responsibilities:

• Active participation in the AHEAD Modern Datacenter SSE team, advisory teams, and delivery teams.
• Collaborate with AHEAD partner management and with key strategic vendors—such as Pure Storage, NetApp, and Cisco—to maintain strong technical and sales relationships.
• Serve as a thought leader within the Solutions Engineering organization, responsible for designing, architecting, and consulting for AHEAD clients.
• Build skills, relationships, and industry credibility across segments to drive product, services, and consulting sales.
• Support sales teams by providing technical guidance, solution recommendations, and proposals aligned with customer business and technical requirements—especially for U.S.-based customers.
• Develop strong relationships with Modern Datacenter SSE peers, leaders, and vendor partners to support sales objectives.
• Strategize and execute technical sales calls effectively.
• Complete required pre-sales documentation (configurations, pricing, services, presentations, justifications, etc.) accurately and on time.
• Qualify sales opportunities based on customer technical requirements, decision-making processes, and funding.
• Present and communicate the design and business value of AHEAD solutions to customers, prospects, and internal stakeholders.
• Mentor entry-level team members as appropriate.
• Demonstrate deep product/technology/industry expertise.
• Maintain knowledge of job-associated applications and tools.

Qualifications:

• Deep expertise in enterprise storage (block & file), compute, and virtualization/VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF).
• Strong specialization in Pure Storage, NetApp, and Cisco UCS compute platforms.
• Data Protection awareness with platforms such as Dell, Rubrik, Commvault, etc.
• Experience using RVtools, LiveOptics, and similar tools for assessments, sizing, and solution design.
• VMware and virtualization technology expertise.
• Vendor experience with NetApp, Pure Storage, Cisco, and similar datacenter ecosystem vendors.

Other Skills:

• Innovation Mindset: Ability to identify and leverage emerging datacenter technologies to design modernized solutions.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills for diagnosing complex storage, compute, and virtualization challenges.
• Consultative Approach: Ability to engage clients as a trusted advisor with clear, strategic guidance.
• Collaboration Skills: Proven ability to work cross‑functionally across sales, engineering, and vendor teams.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to maintaining industry knowledge, vendor certifications, and best practices.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent.

• Professional communication, presentation, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience as a technical lead in pre-sales or sales campaigns, ideally serving U.S.-based enterprise customers.

• Ability to work under critical conditions and influence outcomes.

• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

• Self-motivated, independent, and proactive with a strong work ethic.

• Ability to work effectively in team and partner environments.

• Customer‑focused and results‑driven mindset.

• Relevant Certifications (Preferred):

• Pure Storage Certified Architect / Pure Practitioner

• NetApp NCDA, NCIE

• Cisco UCS certifications (CCNA/CCNP Data Center or equivalent)

• VMware VCP/VCAP (optional but beneficial)

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.

India Employment Benefits include: 

Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees, with options to extend coverage to dependents

Paid time off and company holidays, along with additional leave benefits as per policy

Flexible work arrangements, supporting work-life balance

Learning and development opportunities to support continuous growth and upskilling

Employee wellness initiatives and programs focused on physical and mental well-being

Retirement and statutory benefits in line with India regulations

Inclusive and people-first culture, with a strong focus on collaboration and ownership