Account Solution Architect

Red Hat; Illinois; On-site; USD 166,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Hat in Chicago, IL is seeking an Account Solution Architect to orchestrate the technical approach across the customer lifecycle. You will lead technical engagement with customers, guiding the pre‑ and post‑sales process and ensuring alignment of Red Hat solutions with business goals.

You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Product Management and Support, deliver Customer Success Plans, and strive to expand opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must have extensive experience in solution architecture and full sales cycle management.
• Deep knowledge of Red Hat technologies (OpenShift, Ansible, Linux, cloud) and DevOps.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Proven track record in customer success, technical account planning and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Strong discovery, problem‑solving and analytical abilities to design customer solutions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple accounts.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support customers.

Responsibilities

• Become the technical leader at assigned accounts and act as trusted advisor to customer teams.
• Serve as technical advisor to the Sales team on all technical aspects of the sales process.
• Collaborate with Sales to translate requirements into technical solutions and mitigate blockers.
• Contribute to proposals and RFP responses with technical guidance.
• Design solutions aligned to customer business objectives.
• Lead technical win by aligning Red Hat portfolio with customer needs.
• Create and execute Customer Success Plans with cross‑functional teams.
• Influence Account Plans to grow pipeline and opportunities.
• Support customers post‑sales with ongoing technical guidance and issue resolution.
• Travel as required to meet business needs.

Skills

Solution architecture

Pre- and post-sales experience

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer success

Discovery & analysis

Travel readiness

Project management

Sales engagement knowledge

Adaptability

Tools

OpenShift

Ansible

Job description

About The Role

The Red Hat Sales organization is seeking an experienced Account Solution Architect (ASA) to orchestrate Red Hat’s overall technical approach for and with our customers across all phases of the customer lifecycle, from value definition to value recognition. This requires a combination of skills, from a pre‑sales account solution architect to a post‑sales customer success executive. It is essential for this role to possess both technical expertise and a customer‑centric mindset to ensure successful customer engagements and drive long‑term customer satisfaction and growth. Chicago, IL and surrounding areas are our preferred locations.

What You Will Do

• Become the technical leader at assigned customer accounts, building strong relationships to better understand their goals, challenges and desired outcomes and become the trusted advisor to their technical teams. Must be able to articulate what business the customer is in and how the sales or technical engagement impact the customer’s business.
• Be the technical advisor to the Sales team, providing guidance on all technical aspects of the sales process.
• Collaborate with the Sales team to understand customer requirements and technical needs, identifying and mitigating technical sales blockers.
• Assist in developing proposals and responding to RFPs (Request for Proposals) with technical expertise and solution recommendations.
• Design solutions to address customer challenges, aligning with their business objectives.
• Lead the technical sales conversation, conveying the ways in which Red Hat’s portfolio and architected solutions address the customer’s business and organizational requirements.
• Prove through demonstration and discussion how the use of Red Hat’s portfolio will solve customer issues and challenges.
• Create, manage and execute Customer Success Plans, collaborating with Sales, Customer Success, Adoption, and Consulting teams to ensure successful onboarding and implementation of Red Hat’s solutions. Plans must outline and address the problems being solved for, how they will be remedied and how success will be measured.
• Influence the Account Plan, collaborating with the Account team to increase pipeline and close opportunities.
• Partner with the Account Executive to operate according to account strategy, coordinating and holding accountable the extended sales team.
• Own the technical win for each sales opportunity, orchestrating the people and resources to achieve the customers’ acceptance of proposed technical solutions.
• Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Product Management and Support to ensure seamless execution of customer engagements.
• Provide ongoing technical support and guidance to customers, addressing issues that arise.
• Conduct regular check‑ins with customers to assess satisfaction levels and identify opportunities for expansion or upselling.
• Serve as a liaison between customers and Red Hat’s internal teams, conveying customer feedback, requirements and technical needs. Recommend product enhancements, features, etc., based upon customer feedback.

What You Will Bring

• Strong technical background with experience in solution architecture, consultative selling and complete sales process management (pre and post sales).
• Foundational level knowledge of Red Hat’s portfolio of products and an advanced level of knowledge of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ansible, OpenShift, Cloud and DevOps. Accounts may require depth of knowledge in additional areas, based upon customer needs and priorities.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills, with the ability to convey and demonstrate complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Conduct executive business reviews as required.
• Proven experience in customer success and technical account planning, account management or related roles, with a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Strong cross‑functional collaborator with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong discovery, problem‑solving and analytical skills to understand customer requirements and design appropriate solutions.
• Able to adapt and flexibly work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment. Leverage Red Hat’s open culture to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Strong project management skills to manage multiple customer accounts and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Understanding of sales engagement business impacts and ability to quickly gain expert knowledge of the customer’s business.
• Willingness to travel as needed to meet the needs of the business and our customers.

The salary range for this position is $166,070.00 - $265,540.00 (inclusive of base pay + target incentive compensation). Actual offer will be based on your qualifications.

Pay Transparency

Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat’s compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience.

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community‑powered approach to deliver high‑performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in‑office, to office‑flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hackers are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We’re a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
• Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
• Retirement 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
• Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
• Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more!

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States.

Inclusion at Red Hat

Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)

Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants. If you need assistance completing our online job application, email [e-mail]. General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.