Partner Solutions Architect - Chicago

Alkira, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkira, a Lumen company, is seeking a Partner Solutions Architect to drive partner enablement and jointly develop customer networking and security solutions. You will train partners, create compelling content, and evangelize our cloud-native platform across the US and globally.

The role requires 5+ years in a partner-facing technical role, strong networking/security knowledge, and cloud skills (AWS/Azure/GCP). Chicago-area candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a solutions architect/solutions engineer role with partner or customer-facing engagements.
• Strong knowledge of networking and security technologies; cloud skills (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Training and Enablement: conduct training and technical enablement for partners to build knowledge of Alkira and Lumen solutions.
• Solution Development: collaborate with partners to build customer networking and security solutions.
• Content Creation: create slides, videos, and PDFs for partner enablement.
• Events and Webinars: participate in partner and industry events to evangelize Alkira and Lumen solutions.
• Competitive Intelligence: monitor industry innovations and provide competitive differentiation to partners.
• Collaborative Engagement: work with product, engineering, sales, and marketing to support partners.
• Self Learning and Improvement: stay up-to-date with Alkira innovations through labs and documentation.

Skills

Networking

Security

Cloud platforms

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Information Technology or related field

Job description

About The Role

Join the networking revolution! Alkira, a Lumen company, is reinventing networking for the AI era. We are searching for an experienced, creative, out-of-the-box thinker to join our rapidly growing channel team as a Partner Solutions Architect. In this critical role, you will work closely with channel account managers, engaging our key strategic partners in the US and around the world.

Join the networking revolution! Alkira, a Lumen company, is reinventing networking for the AI era. We are searching for an experienced, creative, out-of-the-box thinker to join our rapidly growing channel team as a Partner Solutions Architect. In this critical role, you will work closely with channel account managers, engaging our key strategic partners in the US and around the world.

Location: Candidates located in Chicago, IL region will be highly considered

Key Responsibilities

• Training and Enablement: Conduct training and technical enablement activities for partners to build their knowledge of the joint Alkira and Lumen solution and positioning
• Solution Development: Work jointly with partners to build customer solutions for their networking and security needs
• Content Creation: Develop necessary content in the form of slides, videos, and PDFs for partner consumption
• Events and Webinars: Participate in partner and industry events to evangelize the joint Alkira and Lumen solution
• Competitive Intelligence: Keep your finger on the pulse of the latest industry innovations and arm partners with competitive differentiation
• Collaborative Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams, including product management, engineering, sales, and marketing, to ensure partners receive the necessary support and resources
• Self Learning and Improvement: Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest Alkira innovations by doing hands-on labs, reviewing documentation, taking training, and so on
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in a solutions architect, solutions engineer, or similar technical role, with a focus on partner or customer-facing engagements
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of networking and security technologies is REQUIRED! Cloud skills in AWS, Azure, and/or GCP are preferred
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and provide innovative solutions
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and build strong relationships with partners and internal stakeholders
  

About Alkira

Alkira, a Lumen company, is building the future of enterprise networking: one programmable platform to connect, secure, and operate every cloud, site, partner, data center, and AI workload. Founded by Amir and Atif Khan, the creators of Viptela and pioneers of the SD-WAN market, Alkira was built to radically simplify how enterprises deploy and manage network infrastructure. Today, as part of Lumen, we are bringing that cloud-native operating model to a global network foundation trusted by the world’s largest enterprises.

Our platform helps customers move faster without managing hardware, stitching together providers, or operating fragmented cloud networks. Teams can build and scale connectivity on demand, apply consistent security and segmentation, and gain visibility across distributed environments from one place.

At Alkira, you’ll help shape the next chapter of networking: cloud-like consumption, private-network performance, and total control across the enterprise. We move fast, solve hard problems, and build technology that changes how global businesses connect.

Join us and help build the future of networking.

Compensation

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications and experience. This is a commissioned sales role with expected base salary plus commission target in a range of $150,000.00 - $225,000.00/yr

Life at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution

Life at Alkira is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution

and how we live into the Lumen 8, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

To review Alkira's Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please be advised that Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution, they are not for employment with us but may relate to another company with a similar name.