Physical Security Solution Architect - Pipelining for Future Needs

CDW LLC.; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

CDW is seeking a Physical Security Solution Architect to drive security solutions for customers in field-based pre‑sales engagements. The role involves consulting with sales and delivery teams, scoping services, and designing multi‑vendor security architectures.

The architect will specialize in video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and video analytics, spending significant time onsite at customer locations and traveling up to 25% as needed, collaborating with partners and CDW

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of experience in a technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery role.
• Strong understanding of security architecture, products, technologies, and solutions including video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, video AI/analytics.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design technical security solutions using standard approaches and present recommendations to clients.
• Develop security assessment and service solutions including advisory/architecture, deployment, integration & optimizations, health checks, deployment services, and support/maintenance advisory services.
• Collaborate with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to provide consultative guidance and support sales strategy.
• Author Proposals and SOWs and define service scope to customer requirements.
• Analyze technical and competitive considerations to meet customer expectations throughout the sales cycle.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, internal sales, and delivery leadership.
• Act as SME across multiple security product families and solutions.
• Acquire and maintain relevant technology certifications.
• Support business opportunities in collaboration with sales, partners, and customers.

Skills

Security architecture

Video surveillance

Access control

Intrusion detection

Video analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Description

The Physical Security Solution Architect (SA)– Security is a field-based technical pre‑sales role focused on developing comprehensive security solutions for CDW customers. This role provides consultative guidance, supports partner product sales, and scopes service offerings to meet customer needs. The position partners with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to act as a trusted advisor and drive Digital Infrastructure growth.

The Physical Security Solution Architect is expected to be a multi‑vendor subject matter expert in several categories of physical security solutions including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, integrated sensors as well video analytics and computer vision. Physical Security solutions are changing rapidly, and the Solution Architect will help sales teams and customers understand the opportunity to integrate the various solutions to be more proactive in helping clients deter and detect security incidents. The Solution Architect operates independently using standard practice approaches, existing tools, templates, and resources; and readily shares knowledge and information that may benefit the team. The Solution Architect is expected to spend a significant portion of their time onsite at CDW customer locations in their local markets, teaming with Sales for discovery meetings and presales site assessments and design assessments. They work closely with CDW Services delivery teams and subcontractor partners to scope and contract services solutions that help the client attain their desired outcomes. The SA develops and maintains strategic relationships with Sales Management of the teams they support and is seen as a trusted advisor to grow their business.

What you will do

• Design technical solutions using standard approaches (including site walks/assessment), considering the customer’s infrastructure limitations/opportunities and presents solution recommendations to client.


• Develop appropriate security assessment and service solutions, including advisory/architecture, deployment, integration &optimizations, technology health checks, deployment services, and support and maintenance advisory services.


• Collaborate with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to provide consultative guidance and support sales strategy.


• Author Proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) and define service scope aligned to customer requirements.


• Analyze technical and competitive considerations to meet customer expectations throughout the sales cycle.


• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, internal sales, and delivery leadership.


• Act as a subject matter expert across multiple security product families and solutions.


• Acquire and maintain relevant technology and industry certifications.


• Support business opportunities in collaboration with sales, partners, and customers.


• Uses the CDW Physical Security team’s standard tools, templates, resources, and processes for maximum efficiency, productivity, consistency, and high‑quality execution.

What we expect of you

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of experience in a technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery role OR 7+ years of experience in a technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery role.


• Strong understanding of security architecture, products, technologies, and solutions,, specifically video surveillance, electronic access control, intrusion alarms, video AI/analytics, and related technologies.


• Ability to collaborate across cross‑functional teams and influence technical decision‑making.


• Strong customer‑focused mindset with excellent communication and presentation skills.


• Ability to design and communicate comprehensive security solutions aligned to business needs.


• Strong problem‑solving skills with ability to analyze complex technical environments.


• Motivated self‑starter capable of delivering high‑quality work independently.


• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.

Pay

Pay range: $ 74,500 - $ 104,350 depending on experience and skill set

Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of plan

Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/

Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

CDW is committed to being an AI‑fluent organization

We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner’s mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever‑evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances—not replaces—human creativity and decision‑making. You don’t need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that’s curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what’s possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That’s why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees—working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities.

As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next.

Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen.

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.