Data Center Solution Architect – Presales (Senior)

Starlink Qatar; Doha; On-site; QAR 655,000 - 946,000; Full time

Job summary

Starlink Qatar is seeking a senior data center presales architect to own end-to-end DC designs, spanning power, cooling, containment, racks, DC networking, compute, storage, and virtualization.

You will lead multi-vendor solution engagements, present to CxOs, mentor presales engineers, and drive RFP/RFI responses, site surveys, PoCs, and TCO/ROI analyses in Qatar's enterprise market.

Qualifications

• End-to-end data center presales and solution architecture experience.
• Proven multi-vendor DC design and proposal leadership.
• Experience with DC networking, compute, storage, and virtualization.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end data center solution architecture across all subsystems.
• Lead complex RFP/RFI responses, design workshops, and blueprints.
• Develop BoQs/BoMs, capacity models, and TCO/ROI analyses.
• Mentor junior presales engineers and engage with CxOs.

Skills

Data center design

Presales leadership

Multi-vendor experience

Executive communication

DCIM integration

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering

Tools

DCIM tools

VMware

Rittal/Legrand products

Job description

The role owning end-to-end data center presales and solution architecture, spanning physical infrastructure (power, cooling, containment, structured cabling), compute, storage, virtualization, and data center networking. Acts as the senior technical authority across Huawei, Supermicro, Legrand, Rittal, FABNET, and other data center vendor lines, translating complex customer requirements into validated, bankable DC designs. Leads large and strategic engagements end-to-end, engages CxOs and facilities/infrastructure stakeholders directly, and mentors junior presales engineers across the distribution team.

Accountability & Responsibilities of Role:

• Own end-to-end data center solution architecture — compute, storage, virtualization, DC networking, physical infrastructure (power, cooling, containment, racks), and structured cabling — integrating Huawei, Supermicro, Legrand, Rittal, and FABNET product lines into unified DC solutions.
• Lead complex, high-value RFP/RFI responses, DC design workshops, and solution blueprints for greenfield and brownfield projects (Tier III/IV facilities, edge DC, colocation, on-prem to hybrid cloud).
• Architect designs covering power redundancy (N, N+1, 2N), precision cooling, hot/cold aisle containment, structured cabling, rack/cabinet layout, and DCIM integration.
• Develop detailed BoQs/BoMs, SoWs, capacity and growth models, and TCO/ROI analyses for large-scale data center investments.
• Perform in-depth competitive positioning against Cisco, Dell, HPE, Vertiv, Schneider Electric, APC, and other DC vendors, and articulate differentiated value.
• Validate designs for compliance with international standards (Uptime Institute Tier certification, TIA-942, ASHRAE cooling guidelines).
• Serve as the senior technical face of Starlink to CxOs, IT directors, and facilities/infrastructure heads during presales engagements.
• Lead technical due diligence, site surveys, PoCs, and pilot deployments for data center infrastructure and networking components.
• Act as a trusted advisor on data center modernization, consolidation, edge computing, disaster recovery, and hybrid/multi-cloud strategy.
• Resolve escalated technical objections and provide senior-level backup during critical sales cycles and vendor evaluations.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge across DC networking, compute, storage and cloud; Legrand and Rittal data center physical infrastructure (power distribution, UPS, precision cooling, containment, racks/cabinets); structured cabling and fiber solutions; and compute/server platforms.
• Track emerging DC trends: liquid cooling, AI/HPC-ready infrastructure, modular/prefabricated data centers, DCIM/software-defined infrastructure, and energy-efficiency (PUE) standards.
• Deliver enablement sessions, technical certifications, and knowledge transfer to junior presales engineers and channel partners.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior presales and solution engineers within the ICT distribution team.
• Partner with vendor principals (Huawei, Supermicro, Legrand, Rittal, FABNET, Acer) on joint business planning, technical roadmaps, and strategic account reviews.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with systems integrators, consultants, and end customers across Qatar's data center and enterprise market.
• Provide senior-level input into pipeline reviews, forecasting, and presales KPI reporting to management.
• Represent Starlink at industry events, vendor summits, and technical certification programs.
• Contribute to development and management of the data center portfolio's presales investment budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources across proposals, PoCs, and pilot activities.
• Monitor spend and return on investment for RFP responses, technical workshops, and PoC engagements, ensuring solutions remain commercially viable.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities in solution design and BoQ/BoM development without compromising technical quality or compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior presales and solution engineers across the ICT distribution team.
• Support the performance development of junior technical staff through structured coaching, knowledge transfer, and certification enablement.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing presales culture centred on technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Contribute to succession planning by building deep bench strength in data center solution architecture skills across the team.

Position Requirements:

Educational Background:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or a related field; a relevant Master's or MBA is an advantage.
• Relevant certifications preferred: HCIE/HCIP (Data Center), Uptime Institute ATD/ADC, VMware VCP, or equivalent DC infrastructure certifications (Legrand, Rittal).

Work Experience:

• 15 to 20+ years of experience in data center presales, solution architecture, or infrastructure consulting, including at least 8-10 years in a senior/lead technical capacity.
• Proven expertise in end-to-end data center design: power distribution, precision cooling, containment, structured cabling, rack/floor layout, and DCIM.
• Strong technical grounding in DC networking, compute, storage, and virtualization (Huawei preferred; exposure to Dell, HPE, Cisco, VMware, or equivalent is an advantage).
• Demonstrated track record leading large, complex DC RFPs/RFIs, multi-vendor solution designs, and executive-level technical proposals.
• Excellent executive presentation, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial acumen – BOQ/BOM development, pricing strategy, and TCO/ROI modelling.
• Prior experience mentoring or leading junior presales/technical staff is preferred.
• Experience working with systems integrators, MEP/facilities contractors, or consultants on data center build/fit-out projects.
• Exposure to edge computing, hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI), AI/HPC-ready data center design, and sustainability/green DC initiatives (PUE optimisation).
• Shaping Strategy: Ability to make sense of complex data, trends and dynamics on continually evolving basis, understand and anticipate the potential impact these may have, and use them to shape the direction of the business
• Driving Change: Recognizing and anticipating the need for change. Demonstrating openness, flexibility and support for change, aligning people to move in new and challenging directions. Dealing effectively with uncertainty and adapting to new situations and ways of working while staying focused, organized and positive.
• Leading Teams: Demonstrating the drive required to succeed in a demanding work environment by taking ownership, aligning, building, enabling and inspiring effective teams, not limited to own team. Creating momentum and gaining commitment towards a common goal.
• Delivering Results & Fostering Ownership: Drive for improving business results and attaining higher levels of performance.
• Building Customer Value: Gaining insights into internal and/or external customers’ experience. Anticipating their needs and demonstrating concern for satisfying them. Building productive customer relationships. Ensuring clear communication to customers on expectations and beyond.
• Networking & Influencing Collaboratively: Developing rapport with a diverse range of people. Building and leveraging networks horizontally and vertically. Proactively nfluencing and persuading others to gain support for initiatives. Maintaining collaborative stakeholder relationships.
• Technical Expertise: Maintains deep, current expertise across data center compute, storage, networking, and physical infrastructure disciplines, and applies this to designing robust, standards-compliant solutions.
• Commercial Acumen: Applies strong commercial and financial reasoning — including BoQ/BoM development, pricing strategy, and TCO/ROI modelling — to structure competitive, profitable data center proposals.

Integrated Management System (IMS) Responsibilities:

• Quality: Understand and comply with the Quality Management System applicable to the role — including awareness of the Quality Policy and relevant quality objectives, adherence to documented procedures, active contribution to QMS effectiveness and continual improvement, and awareness of the implications of not meeting requirements.
• Occupational, Health & Safety: Understand and comply with the OH&S Management System applicable to the role — including awareness of the OH&S Policy, adherence to safe work procedures and required PPE, participation in hazard identification and risk control, prompt reporting of hazards, near-misses and incidents, and the right to remove oneself from any situation of imminent and serious danger.
• Information Security Management: Understand and comply with the Information Security Management System applicable to the role — including awareness of the Information Security Policy and acceptable-use requirements, protection of company and customer information in line with its classification, contribution to ISMS effectiveness, and prompt reporting of information security events and weaknesses.