Principal Solution Architect - Data

CDW Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 249,895 - 349,854; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology solutions provider is seeking a Principal Data & AI Solutions Architect in Toronto, Canada. This senior pre-sales role focuses on data lakehouse and analytics platform opportunities, working closely with account teams to shape and close data-driven transformations. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in data architecture, excellent communication skills, and familiarity with tools like Microsoft Fabric and AWS. The role offers a competitive pay range of $180,000 to $252,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data platform architecture, analytics, or AI/ML.
• 5+ years in a customer-facing pre-sales or solutioning role.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical pre-sales engagements for data lakes and advanced analytics.
• Articulate business value of data modernization and AI adoption.
• Design and present solution architectures and proposals.

Skills

Data platform architecture

Analytics

AI/ML

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Azure Synapse

Databricks

AWS Redshift

Snowflake

Job description

At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It’s why we’re coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we’re headed. We’re proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.

We are seeking a Principal Data & AI Solutions Architect to join our Pre-Sales team and serve as the senior technical leader for data lakehouse and analytics platform opportunities. This is a customer-facing pre-sales role focused on shaping, positioning, and closing data-driven transformation initiatives. You will work closely with account teams, partners, and executives to translate complex customer requirements into actionable architectures that drive business outcomes and revenue growth.

What you’ll do:

• Lead technical pre-sales engagements for data lakes, lakehouse architectures, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Act as the trusted advisor to C-level and senior technology leaders, articulating the business value of data modernization and AI adoption.
• Design and present solution architectures, roadmaps, and proposals and SOWs that align with client priorities and industry best practices.
• Partner with sales teams to develop pursuit strategies, build business cases, and position differentiated offerings.
• Drive attach and expansion of analytics and AI services by embedding scalable design patterns into every engagement.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to ensure proposed solutions are feasible, supportable, and aligned with practice capabilities.
• Contribute thought leadership, reusable assets, and frameworks to scale pre-sales effectiveness across the Data & AI practice.
• Mentor and upskill solution architects and sellers on modern data platforms, analytics services, and cloud-native architectures.

What we expect of you:

• 10+ years of experience in data platform architecture, analytics, or AI/ML, with at least 5+ years in a customer-facing pre-sales or solutioning role.
• Deep expertise with data lakes, lakehouses, and modern analytics platforms (Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse, Databricks, AWS Redshift, Snowflake, etc.).
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, and integration patterns.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with proven success engaging executives and technical stakeholders.
• Ability to connect technical capabilities to business value and ROI.
• Experience working within a partner ecosystem (Microsoft, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consulting or professional services sales cycles.
• Familiarity with AI/ML services and their integration into analytics platforms.
• Recognized thought leader in data strategy, lakehouse adoption, or analytics transformation.

Current Opening:

This posting reflects a currently available position within our organization for which we are actively recruiting.

Pay range: $180,000 - $252,000, depending on experience and skill set

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.