Solution Architect, Sales Engineering

Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity, committed to a people-first approach. The Solution Architect will be responsible for identifying and driving new business initiatives to increase market share and support long-term growth for Ciena's Routing/Switching solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Works directly with dedicated account teams across the assigned region to provide Engineering and Architectural leadership
• Drive advanced architecture discussions to ensure Ciena’s technology direction aligns with customer needs, work collaboratively with key influencers in the industry to drive technology direction, and engage with customer personnel from Engineering to C-Level Executives
• Lead technical tasks (product demonstrations, POCs & lab trials), including written proposals (RFPs), and complex network designs
• Must be able to effectively communicate solutions to customers, resellers and work cohesively with Sales teams and other internal CIENA departments
• Provide strategic direction to Ciena’s PLM/R&D organizations on technology required to capture the business of existing and developing customers
• Travel (or engage virtually) a significant amount of time in the US to build account team and customer relationships needed to execute business initiatives
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Strong understanding of current and future trends in routing/switching (core, access and aggregation), Automation, Data Center Interconnect, Campus Networking, AI, and other emerging Edge technologies
• Expert level knowledge, of multi-layer network architectures (IP, SR, MPLS & Carrier Ethernet) and Routing/Switching technologies and protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, IGRP, G.8032, MPLS-TP, 802.1ag, 2544/1564, etc) is required
• Detailed understanding of Service Provider Network deployments and architectures
• Detailed understanding of Utility & MSO customer environments
• Expert level hands-on systems level understanding and an ability to learn and apply new concepts and technologies quickly
• Software design and development knowledge (Linux, C/C++, Java, Python, REST, JSON, OpenFlow, OpenDaylight, OpenStack, OPNFV, SDN, VMWare, etc.) is a plus
• Understanding of backbone long-haul transport, metro DWDM, optical evolution and packet transport a plus
• Time management skills; ability to plan, prioritize, execute & follow-up within a timely manner
• Professionalism in attitude, conduct, and appearance
• Ability to work within a high-performance team
• Flexible, able to handle multiple tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to build strong customer relationships and support an overall sales strategy
• Expert technical expertise and desire to learn new technologies
• Needs to have demonstrated lead in management of on-going activities such as RFP activity, trials and product acceptance
• Must be able to work well with Ciena R&D, Engineering and PLM
• Ability to integrate into and contribute to a high performing Team
• Excellent organizational skills due to dynamic nature of activities
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Technical Degree; BS in Engineering or Computer Science or relevant experience
• Expert in architecting complex IP and Carrier Ethernet Networks
• In-depth knowledge of multilayer networking systems
• 10+ years telecommunication industry experience
• Prior experience as a contributor on a sales account team