Microsoft Security Pre-Sales Solution Architect

Avanade Inc.; Culver City (CA); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Avanade Inc. in California is seeking a Microsoft Security Pre-Sales Solution Architect to lead early discovery and shaping for enterprise clients across Microsoft Sentinel, Entra, Defender, Purview, 365 Security, and AI security.

You will translate security priorities into value cases and practical next steps, coordinating with Avanade, Accenture, Microsoft, and client teams to qualify opportunities and prepare delivery teams for success.

Job description

This is a hybrid role that requires travel up to 50% to support client engagements and business development activities. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship, as sponsorship is not available for this position.

Avanade's U.S. Security practice helps clients protect, detect, and respond to evolving cyber threats using the Microsoft security ecosystem. From strategy and Zero Trust architecture to security operations, identity, and data protection, our teams help enterprises transform security so it enables the business as it grows.

Shape enterprise security opportunities where Microsoft technology, client strategy, and measurable business outcomes meet.

As a Microsoft Security Pre-Sales Solution Architect, you will lead early discovery and solution shaping for enterprise clients across Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft 365 Security, and security for Copilot and AI agents. You will turn complex security priorities into clear value cases, high-level architectures, proofs of value, and practical next steps that help clients move from idea to decision.

You will work with Avanade, Accenture, Microsoft, and client teams to qualify opportunities, align technical and commercial objectives, and prepare delivery teams for success. This is a client-facing growth role for someone who combines security architecture depth, consultative selling, executive communication, and disciplined follow-through. Together we do what matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead client discovery and qualify Microsoft Security opportunities against business outcomes and buying priorities.
• Translate security challenges into value cases, use cases, success measures, and solution roadmaps.
• Shape architectures across Sentinel, Entra, Defender, Purview, Microsoft 365, and AI security.
• Plan and lead assessments, workshops, demonstrations, proofs of value, and proof-of-concept activities.
• Partner with Avanade, Accenture, and Microsoft teams to coordinate pursuits and co-sell motions.
• Define scope boundaries, assumptions, risks, and delivery requirements before opportunities advance.
• Create reusable architectures, estimates, and field insights that improve future pursuits.

Qualifications

Required Experience and Capabilities

• 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity, including security architecture, technical pre-sales, consulting, solution architecture, or solution shaping for enterprise clients.
• 5+ years of client-facing experience working with enterprise customers on security strategy, architecture, solution design, or security transformation.
• 3+ years of experience leading technical discovery, workshops, and executive-to-technical client conversations, including translating security requirements into business outcomes, success criteria, and actionable next steps.
• 5+ years of experience with Microsoft Security technologies, with demonstrated architecture or implementation depth in at least two of the following areas: Microsoft Sentinel and security operations, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft 365 Security, or security for Copilot, AI, and agents.
• 3+ years of experience developing client-facing security architecture and solution artifacts, such as architecture diagrams, assessments, roadmaps, business cases, proof-of-value plans, proofs of concept, risk and assumption documentation, and executive recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge across enterprise identity, security operations, data security, cloud security, AI security, governance, compliance, and enterprise integration patterns.
• 3+ years of technical pre-sales, solution-shaping, or consulting experience requiring commercial judgment around scope, delivery effort, technical risk, business value, and transition from pre-sales activities into implementation.
• 3+ years of experience working across complex, cross-functional teams, including clients, technology partners, sales teams, architects, and delivery organizations.
• 5+ years of experience creating and presenting customer-facing technical deliverables, including architecture documentation, recommendations, assessments, presentations, and other decision-support materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100) or equivalent demonstrated security architecture experience.
• One or more relevant Microsoft certifications, including SC-200, SC-300, SC-400, AZ-500, or Microsoft Applied Skills aligned to Sentinel, Entra, Purview, Defender, or AI security.
• 2+ years of experience supporting Microsoft co-sell, Microsoft partner programs, Partner Center, MCI-funded engagements, ECIF, partner-funded engagements, or similar alliance-funded sales and proof-of-value motions.
• 2+ years of experience shaping solutions or delivery models across onshore, nearshore, and offshore teams.
• 2+ years of experience developing repeatable consulting offers, sales plays, propositions, campaign assets, reference architectures, or reusable solution assets.

Compensation at Avanade varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, Avanade provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired as set forth below.

We anticipate this job posting will be posted on 11/10/2026 and open for at least 10 days.

Avanade offers a market competitive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off.

See more information on our benefits here: U.S. Employee Benefits | Avanade

Role Location Annual Salary Range

California $159,337 to $189,212

Cleveland $138,554 to $164,532

Colorado $149,638 to $177,695

District of Columbia $159,337 to $189,212

Illinois $149,638 to $177,695

Maryland $159,337 to $189,212

Massachusetts $159,337 to $189,212

Minnesota $149,638 to $177,695

New York $170,421 to $202,375

New Jersey $149,638 to $177,695

Washington $159,337 to $189,212