Senior Solution Architect – Physical Security, Pre Sales - Pipelining for Future Needs

CDW; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

CDW is seeking a Senior Physical Security Solution Architect to lead field‑based pre‑sales activities, develop comprehensive security solutions, and drive growth with customers and partners. You will work closely with sales, delivery, and subcontractors to design, scope, and propose service offerings, and maintain vendor relationships to meet client outcomes.

The role requires deep knowledge of video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, and video analytics, with frequent onsite

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery, or 9+ years in a technical role.
• Experience with security solutions, sensors, analytics, and related technologies is preferred.
• Ability to mentor and lead cross‑functional teams and customers through complex solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design technical security solutions and present recommendations to customers.
• Develop assessment and service solutions including deployment, integration, and support services.
• Collaborate with sales, delivery teams, and partners to craft proposals and SOWs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to drive growth and maintain strategic relationships with customers and partners.

Skills

Technical pre-sales

Field-based

Multi-vendor expertise

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Description

At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It’s why we’re coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we’re headed. We’re proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.

Job Summary

The Physical Security Senior Solution Architect (Sr. SA) is a field-based technical pre‑sales role that focuses on developing comprehensive solutions for CDW customers. This role involves providing consultative guidance, supporting partner product sales, scoping service offerings, and fostering strategic relationships to drive business growth. In this role you will work with customers, delivery, and internal sales teams to develop and maintain strategic relationships and act as a trusted advisor to grow CDW’s Security solutions services business.

The Physical Security Sr. SA 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 Sr. SA 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. Sr. SA operates independently using standard practice approaches, existing tools, templates, and resources; and readily shares knowledge and information that may benefit the team. The Sr. SA 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 pre‑sales site assessments and design. 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 Sr. 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 presenting solution recommendations to client.
• Develop appropriate assessment and service solutions for CDW customers, including advisory/architecture, deployment, integration & optimizations, technology health checks, deployment services, advisory services, and support and maintenance services.
• Collaborate with customers, delivery teams, and internal sales to offer consultative guidance, plan sales strategy, and author Proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Analyze technical and competitive considerations, defining actions to meet customer requirements in the sales cycle and deliver enhanced business outcomes beyond initial expectations.
• Maintain strategic relationships with customers, internal sales, and delivery leadership, acting as a trusted advisor to drive business growth.
• Maintain relationships with key strategic partners and maintain at least 3 partner technical certifications.
• Own assigned territory by establishing cadence with vendors, partners, and customers and supporting sales strategy planning.
• Act as a subject matter expert across multiple product families and solutions.
• Uses the CDW Physical Security team’s standard tools, templates, resources, and processes for maximum efficiency, productivity, consistency, and high‑quality execution.
• Drive sales outreach initiatives, technical enablement projects, and mentoring for other Solution Architects.
• Conducts physical security technology/solutions training for CDW audiences (e.g., Sales, Other Solution Architects), using practice‑developed material.
• Develop content to effectively train coworkers and deliver knowledge sharing sessions.
  

What we expect of you

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery role OR 9+ years of experience in a technical, pre‑sales, or post‑sale delivery role.
• Motivated, self‑starting, and able to independently perform high‑quality work with minimal guidance.
• Strong industry knowledge and domain expertise across 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, lead technical discussions, and influence decision‑making.
• Strong customer‑focused mindset with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to design and communicate comprehensive solutions that address customer requirements and business challenges.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to analyze complex technical environments and deliver solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior team members.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% as needed.

Pay range: $ 102,920 - $ 144.072 depending on experience and skill set. Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of planBenefits 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.

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.