Solution Architect - Central

SUSE; Kansas; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SUSE is seeking a Solution Architect to act as a trusted technical advisor for customers and partners, aligning SUSE solutions with business and technical goals.

You will collaborate with regional sales, engineers, and partners to drive technical excellence in solution design, demonstrations, and PoCs, helping customers invest in SUSE portfolio for a competitive edge.

Qualifications

• Experience in technical consulting, pre-sales engineering, or solution architecture.
• Proficiency with Linux systems and container technologies like Kubernetes.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value for CXO-level audiences.

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers to understand technical and business needs and build trusted relationships.
• Lead technical validation, product demos, PoCs, and RFP/RFI responses to differentiate SUSE solutions.
• Collaborate with Sales, Partner Ecosystem, and Customer Success to drive adoption and ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Linux

Kubernetes

Pre-sales

CXO communication

CRM tools

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About Us
SUSE is a global leader of enterprise open source software. By transforming community innovations into secure, sovereign and AI-ready solutions, SUSE empowers customers to escape vendor lock-in and regain control of their IT destiny. Through industry-leading Linux, Kubernetes, Edge and AI infrastructure solutions, SUSE delivers the flexibility to innovate everywhere—from the data center to multi-cloud and out to the edge. Only SUSE also manages many Linux and Kubernetes distributions. At SUSE, Choice Happens because we prioritize community, interoperability and relentless innovation. Discover how we power mission-critical resilience at www.suse.com.

About Us
SUSE is a global leader of enterprise open source software. By transforming community innovations into secure, sovereign and AI-ready solutions, SUSE empowers customers to escape vendor lock-in and regain control of their IT destiny. Through industry-leading Linux, Kubernetes, Edge and AI infrastructure solutions, SUSE delivers the flexibility to innovate everywhere—from the data center to multi-cloud and out to the edge. Only SUSE also manages many Linux and Kubernetes distributions. At SUSE, Choice Happens because we prioritize community, interoperability and relentless innovation. Discover how we power mission-critical resilience at www.suse.com.
Solution Architect - Central
Job Description
As a Solution Architect you'll act as a trusted technical advisor for customers and partners, ensuring that SUSE’s solutions align with their business and technical needs. You will work closely with regional sales and partner teams to drive technical excellence in solution design, positioning SUSE as a leader in the industry.
The role will leverage specialised knowledge to consult with customers, supporting sales presentations, product demonstrations, proofs of concept, and technical requests. Ultimately, success will be helping customers invest in the right solutions from the SUSE portfolio, giving them a competitive edge.
Key Responsibilities

• Engage with customers to understand both their technical and business needs - building valued relationships and developing as a trusted technical advisor. Conduct thorough assessments to identify gaps, opportunities, and challenges, ensuring that solutions are tailored to meet both immediate and future needs.
• Take full responsibility for the technical aspects of deal progression, from qualification to closure. Champion the technical validation process, including product demonstrations, technical presentations, managing proofs of concept (PoCs), addressing customer objections, and ensuring that the technical value of SUSE’s solutions is fully realised.
• Serve as the voice of the customer by actively gathering and communicating customer feedback and requirements, to SUSE’s Product, Strategy, and Engineering teams. Ensure that customer needs are reflected in new product features, updates, and messaging, while facilitating regular feedback loops, and support escalations to ensure product improvements align with customer expectations and maximise value.
• Collaborate with Field and Specialist Sales, Partner Ecosystem, and Customer Success teams to create Account Plans to drive solution adoption and ensure customer satisfaction throughout the sales lifecycle.
• Contribute to the development of go-to-market strategies with regional sales teams, and participate in marketing efforts through presentations, blogs, technical speaking engagements, rodeo’s and booth demo’s.
• Support the analysis of competitor offerings and collaborate on developing strategies to differentiate SUSE solutions, identifying key advantages in specific use cases.
• Conduct research and draft responses to the technical segments of requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), and requests for quotes (RFQs).
• Transfer knowledge to pre-sales peers and contribute to internal education through mentoring, peer training, and sharing insights on product innovations and technical solutions.
• Consistently maintain CRM hygiene by updating all activity, for each opportunity - Use Case, Success Criteria, Technical Close Status (TCS) and Next Steps in the technical close process.
• Take proactive ownership of your professional development by staying curious and embracing a growth mindset. Focus on driving your success, advancing your skills as a Technical Sales professional, and deepening your expertise in the SUSE value proposition.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in technical consulting, pre-sales engineering, or solution architecture, with a focus on enterprise software solutions.
• Practical skills with Linux systems, open-source software, and related infrastructure solutions, with experience in cloud computing and container technologies like Kubernetes.
• Proven ability to articulate complex technical solutions clearly and effectively to diverse audiences up to CXO level, translating technical concepts into business value and demonstrating how they align with customer objectives.
• Experience in creating technical demonstrations and whitepapers to illustrate product value through use cases.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, capable of addressing complex technical problems and delivering innovative, value-driven solutions.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with sales, engineering, and customer success teams to deliver comprehensive solutions and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Experience in designing and delivering complex enterprise solutions, ensuring scalability, security, and reliability.
• Exceptional consultative-selling skills, fostering meaningful customer relationships, guiding engagements, and serving as a trusted technical advisor through collaboration
• Proficiency in competitor analysis and solution positioning, showcasing SUSE's advantages over peers.
• Experience working with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Clari) to manage pipelines, track technical validation, and measure solution success.

This position is subject to a background check(s), including criminal, credit, and/or employment references. The candidate is required to complete the background check(s) once an offer has been accepted. This will be conducted by SUSE’s external provider, where legally permitted.
For US Only - US Pay Transparency Disclaimer
If this role is filled in the United States of America, the starting base salary will be within the applicable pay range displayed below. In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for a commission plan and a competitive benefits package. US benefits include comprehensive medical coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan, an Employee Assistance Program, and generous paid time off and leave policies.
Final compensation will be determined based on factors