About this Sr. Solutions Architect - SHI Labs role at SHI International
About Us
Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.
Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy:
Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.
Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.
Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.
World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and customer-facing networking expert to serve as a senior technical leader within our organization. This role operates at the intersection of consulting, pre-sales, and engineering—partnering with customers, internal stakeholders, and vendors to design, validate, and deliver modern network solutions.The ideal candidate is equally comfortable advising executive stakeholders and executing hands-on technical work in complex lab environments. This individual will drive innovation, influence network strategy, and play a critical role in shaping both customer outcomes and internal technical capabilities.
Role Description
Customer Engagement & Advisory
Serve as the lead technical voice providing solution demonstrations to customers
Act as a trusted advisor to presales Field CIOs, CISOs, and engineering teams, influencing network strategy and technology decisions
Translate business and security requirements into structured use cases and test plans
Lead workshops, technical deep dives, and executive briefings
Architecture, Design & Lab Execution
Design and build complex lab environments simulating enterprise architectures
Develop and execute proof-of-concept (POC) and proof-of-value (POV) testing across multiple network solutions
Validate vendor capabilities, integration points, and real-world operational impact
Produce reference architectures, design documentation, and validation reports
Pre-Sales & Post-Sales Leadership
Partner with account teams and presales engineering to develop new network solutions, evaluate partnerships, and guide overall network support strategy
Lead the development and validation of clearly defined use cases and test cases
Lead technical scoping, sizing, and delivery planning for pilot engagements
Ensure successful project execution, stepping in to resolve complex or at-risk deployments when needed
Lab Innovation & Practice Leadership
Drive innovation within the networking team by evaluating emerging technologies
Provide feedback to vendors on product gaps, limitations, and enhancement opportunities
Mentor and develop engineers across the practice, from junior to senior levels
Assist in talent identification and technical interviewing
Behaviors and Competencies
Problem-Solving: Can proactively identify and take ownership of complex problem-solving initiatives, initiate preventative measures, collaborate with others to find solutions, and drive successful outcomes.
Communication: Can effectively communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences, facilitate effective communication between others, and mentor others in effective communication.
Adaptability: Can lead others through change, help teams adapt to new directions, and create a culture open to change.
Leadership: Can take ownership of complex team initiatives, collaborate with others in decision-making processes, and drive team performance.
Teamwork: Can build and lead multiple teams, fostering a cooperative environment and ensuring effective communication between team members.
Self-Motivation: Can take ownership of complex personal or professional initiatives, collaborate with others when necessary, and drive results through self-motivation.
Skill Level Requirements
Technical Expertise
Strong expertise across multiple domains, including:
Secure Access & Network Security (ZTNA, SASE, VDI, browser isolation, remote access, NGFW, segmentation, SD-WAN, etc.)
Network Design and Routing (WAN/LAN, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS)
Cloud and Virtualization (VPCs, VPNs, hybrid data centers)
Automation and Scripting (Python, Terraform, Ansible)
Ability to design, build, and troubleshoot complex integrated environments (hands-on)
Experience with multi-technology integrations and interoperability testing
Other Requirements
8+ years of experience in network engineering, architecture, or consulting roles
Experience in a VAR, consulting firm, or systems integrator strongly preferred
Proven success operating in a hybrid pre-sales/post-sales capacity
Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, multi-vendor network engagements
Demonstrated Impact
History of driving measurable outcomes, including:
Significant service revenue generation
Influence on large-scale network purchasing decisions
Experience mentoring teams and shaping national or enterprise-level practices
Technology Exposure
Experience working with leading networking and infrastructure vendors such as:
Arista, Aruba/HPE, BlueCat, Cisco/Meraki, Cradlepoint, Dell, Extreme, Fortinet, Juniper/HPE, LogicMonitor, Netgear, Ruckus, SolarWinds
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience operating as a Principal Consultant or Senior Architect in a VAR or consulting environment
Equally comfortable in executive whiteboard sessions and hands-on lab environments
Thrives in complex, ambiguous environments and brings structure through engineering rigor
The estimated annual pay range for this position is $175,000 - $240,000 which includes a base salary and bonus. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.
Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
