Senior Network Solution Architect - Remote US Only

Department: Blue Mantis

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Remote

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside sales teams to understand customer business goals, challenges, and buying drivers.
• Lead client discovery sessions to identify business challenges, technical requirements, and constraints across campus, data center, WAN, wireless, and security domains.
• Develop network and cross-practice solution architectures that are secure, scalable, and aligned to delivery objectives.
• Perform technical qualification and assessment of client network environments to validate solution fit and identify modernization opportunities.
• Present solution architectures in a way that aligns technical depth with business outcomes, risk, and investment value.
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams to refine scope, goals, and deliverables for proposed solutions.

• Serve as the senior subject matter expert (SME) for enterprise networking and network security across the company's portfolio.
• Lead architecture and design across routing and switching, SD-WAN, SASE/SSE, enterprise wireless, data center and campus fabric, network segmentation, NAC, and next-generation firewall platforms.
• Maintain deep, current expertise across the primary vendor stack Cisco, Juniper, HPE (Aruba), and Fortinet — including competitive positioning, licensing models, and roadmap direction.
• Advise on adjacent domains including cloud connectivity, data center infrastructure, cybersecurity, unified communications, and endpoints where they intersect the network.
• Act as an escalation point for complex network design decisions and resolve solution tradeoffs with limited oversight.

• Develop cost modeling and LOE estimates, including hardware, licensing and subscription models, partner solutions, and PS/Delivery requirements.
• Estimate required resources, costs, and timelines for proposed solutions.
• Lead development of solution narratives, assumptions, estimates, and scope framing for larger pursuits.
• Prepare and deliver technical pitches, proposals, and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Support RFP responses by designing solutions, answering technical questions, and aligning delivery resources.
• Document solution architectures and ensure consistency across proposals and implementations.
• Support account executives in technical presentations and demonstrations.

• Partner with delivery and engineering teams to validate scope, resource requirements, and feasibility.
• Lead internal alignment across sales, delivery, and specialty teams for complex pursuits.
• Conduct internal handoffs to delivery, clarifying assumptions and ensuring continuity.
• Collaborate with vendor and distribution partners on solution positioning, deal registration, and specialized pricing

• Contribute reusable assets, reference designs, and solution blueprints to the presales function.
• Actively mentor Solution Architects and help raise standards for discovery, design quality, and client engagement.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices, sharing insights with colleagues and customers.
• Participate in internal review meetings, debriefings, and retrospectives to improve presales processes and solution delivery.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• In-depth understanding of enterprise networking and network security technologies, including routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), switching, VLANs/VXLAN, QoS, multicast, and network automation.
• Demonstrated design experience across the primary vendor stack: Cisco (Catalyst, Nexus, ACI, Catalyst SD-WAN/Viptela, Meraki, ISE), Juniper (MX/EX/QFX/SRX, Mist, Apstra), HPE Aruba (CX switching, wireless, ClearPass, EdgeConnect), and Fortinet (FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer, Secure SD-WAN).
• Experience designing SD-WAN, SASE/SSE, Zero Trust network access, and segmentation architectures.
• Strong background in enterprise IT architecture across adjacent disciplines such as cloud, storage, virtualization, cybersecurity, unified communications, and data management.
• Proficiency designing multi-practice solutions spanning multiple technology domains.
• Familiarity with cost modeling, licensing and subscription structures, and delivery resource planning.
• In-depth understanding of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, including multi-cloud and hybrid cloud connectivity (Direct Connect, ExpressRoute, Cloud Interconnect).
• Familiarity with automation and Infrastructure-as-Code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible) and network observability platforms.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2).
• Experience with solution architectures for verticals such as financial services, healthcare, retail, education, and public sector.

• Strong client-facing presentation and communication skills, including with senior technical and business decision-makers.
• Ability to align technical solutions with business challenges and value drivers.
• Proven experience supporting presales engagements and proposal development.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and creative solution design.
• Ability to manage multiple pursuits and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with pipeline management and CRM tools.
• Capable of working independently and as part of cross-functional teams.
• Cultivates and nurtures strong relationships with key client stakeholders to foster trust.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Expert-level network certification strongly preferred — Cisco CCNP/CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or Security, Juniper JNCIP/JNCIE, HPE Aruba ACSP/ACMX, or Fortinet NSE 6–8 / FCSS.
• Additional relevant certifications a plus (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, VMware VCP, TOGAF).
• ITIL or other service management framework certifications are a plus.

• 8–12+ years in IT solution design, network architecture, or technical presales roles, including ownership of complex, multi-workstream pursuits.
• Previous experience with a managed services provider (MSP), VAR, or systems integrator (SI) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior client stakeholders and mentoring less experienced architects.