Senior Technical Consultant - Data Protection

AHEAD; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AHEAD is seeking a Senior Technical Consultant to lead enterprise Data Protection implementations, modernization, and optimization across data centers and cloud. You will translate complex requirements into scalable solutions, work with cross-functional delivery teams, and travel to client sites as needed.

The role requires deep hands-on experience with Cohesity, Commvault, Rubrik, and related platforms, plus strong documentation and leadership skills to guide projects from design to deployment

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience delivering enterprise Data Protection infrastructure.
• Experience with Cohesity, Commvault, Rubrik in production environments.
• Experience with SAN implementation and interoperability analysis.
• Experience integrating Data Protection with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex data protection connectivity across multi-site environments.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in client-facing delivery roles.
• Understanding of AI, VMware, Linux, Unix, and Windows OS.
• Strong presentation, diagramming, and storytelling skills.
• Expert in racking, stacking, and cabling hardware.

Responsibilities

• Advanced configuration and architectural design of backup platforms to optimize data protection.
• Lead deployment across data centers and cloud environments.
• Develop technical documentation including solution designs and procedures.
• Act as a technical point of contact during delivery engagements and escalations.
• Collaborate with project managers, architects, account teams, and customer stakeholders to align scope and outcomes.
• Travel to customer sites up to 50% for deployment, migration, and modernization.
• Provide post-implementation knowledge transfer and root cause analysis.
• Coach and support junior team members to ensure delivery quality.
• Maintain awareness of emerging Data Protection trends and propose practical improvements.

Skills

Data protection platforms

Cloud technologies

Ransomware protection

Troubleshooting

Infrastructure modernization

Technical leadership

Documentation

Client-facing

Project delivery

Tools

Cohesity DataProtect

Cohesity Helios

Cohesity Threat Protection

Commvault

Rubrik

Job description

AHEAD is seeking a Senior Technical Consultant to lead the implementation, modernization, and optimization of enterprise Data Protection environments. This customer-facing, delivery-focused role is responsible for translating business and technical requirements into scalable, resilient Data Protection solutions while executing complex infrastructure projects and serving as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate possesses deep hands‑on expertise across Data Protection platforms, cloud technologies, ransomware protection and recovery, troubleshooting, and infrastructure modernization. Success in this role requires strong technical leadership, documentation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional delivery teams to drive successful project outcomes. This position includes travel to customer sites to support deployment, migration, and modernization initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advanced configuration and architectural design of backup platforms to optimize data protection.
• Expert-level Cohesity experience including DataProtect, Threat Protection, FortKnox, Cohesity Security Center & Helios.
• Expert‑level proficiency in multiple backup platforms, such as Commvault, Rubrik, and ransomware protection systems.
• Deploy data center and cloud technologies including but not limited to Cohesity, Rubrik, Commvault, and related platforms.
• Expert in backup configuration for multiple hypervisors (VMware, Nutanix AHV, Hyper‑V), cloud (AWS, Azure), databases (SQL/Oracle), and OS platforms (Windows/Linux)
• Comprehensive knowledge of disaster recovery planning, orchestration, and execution of testing protocols.
• Advanced understanding of networking and infrastructure fundamentals, including firewalls, ACLs, VLANs, port trunking, DNS, NTP, routing, and related protocols required to support secure, resilient, and high‑performing data protection environments.
• Lead efforts in performance tuning and capacity management to maintain optimal backup infrastructure operations.
• Proficient in disaster recovery strategy development, orchestration, and validation through rigorous testing.
• Develop technical documentation including solution designs, implementation plans, operational procedures, and knowledge transfer materials.
• Act as a technical point of contact during delivery engagements, status meetings, cutovers, and escalation events.
• Collaborate with project managers, architects, account teams, and customer stakeholders to align scope, timeline, and technical outcomes.
• Provide post‑implementation knowledge transfer, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement recommendations.
• Contribute to delivery consistency, technical quality, and customer satisfaction while supporting junior team members as needed.
• Maintain awareness of emerging Data Protection, cloud, and infrastructure trends and recommend practical improvements to delivery methods and client environments.

Required Qualifications:

• Hands‑on experience in enterprise Data Protection infrastructure delivery roles, ideally within consulting, professional services delivery, or complex customer environments.
• Strong experience with major Data Protection platforms including Cohesity, Commvault, Rubrik, and comparable enterprise technologies.
• Experience with SAN implementation and interoperability analysis.
• Experience with integration of supporting Data Protection solutions across major cloud platforms including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex Data Protection and connectivity issues across multi‑site environments, cloud platforms, firewalls, hosts, and supporting infrastructure ecosystems.
• Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to explain risks and recommendations to both technical and business stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in client‑facing delivery environments.
• Understanding of, AI, VMWare, Linux, Unix, and Windows OS.
• Strong presentation, diagramming, whiteboarding, and storytelling skills.
• Expert in racking, stacking, and cabling hardware.

Willing to Travel up to 50%.

Success Profile:

• Takes ownership of assigned technical workstreams and contributes as a trusted member of the Data Protection Delivery Team.
• Delivers high‑quality work with strong attention to execution, risk management, and customer outcomes.
• Build credibility quickly with customer teams and internal delivery, architecture, and sales stakeholders.
• Balances deep technical execution with customer service, communication, and business awareness.
• Must have the mindset to continually evolve technical skills to grow capabilities and expand knowledge.

• Must obtain required Data Protection certifications that are business relevant to the Practice for further development and for Practice success.

Work Environment:

This role is in the Data Protection Delivery Practice and is expected to support project‑based delivery of new datacenter and cloud technologies, upgrades, and system moves. Includes after‑hours and weekend work and travel when required by client engagements.

This role is ideal for a hands‑on Senior Technical Consultant specializing in Data Protection, with the ability to lead and execute enterprise‑scale deployments, migrations, modernization, and recovery solutions across complex environments. The successful candidate will work closely with clients, project teams, and internal stakeholders to deliver high‑quality outcomes while providing technical leadership, troubleshooting expertise, and best‑practice guidance throughout the project lifecycle.