Sr Solution Architect - Enterprise Networking Presales (Req# 1476)

ePlus inc.; Glen Allen (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ePlus inc. is seeking a Senior Solutions Architect in a hybrid role with an hour‑plus commute to Virginia locations.

You will lead technical presales for enterprise networking, translate client needs into secure, scalable architectures, and drive opportunity development with the regional sales team. You will design architecture, BOMs, and SOWs, lead discovery, and present solution reviews while maintaining vendor certifications and strong customer relationships across stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing or implementing complex network or systems/storage solutions.
• 3+ years providing pre‑sales engineering support.
• Enterprise Network Architecture across routing, switching, WAN, wireless, data center, security, cloud connectivity.
• Multi‑vendor technical expertise and ability to design multi‑vendor architectures.
• Presales solution development: translate requirements into BOMs, technical proposals, RFP/RFI responses, and SOWs.
• Commercial & services acumen: support and influence enterprise networking sales.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; certifications such as Cisco CCNP/CCIE, HPE/Juniper, Arista, Extreme Networks preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical lead and advisor to account teams and customer stakeholders.
• Run discovery to capture requirements and recommend hardware, software, and services.
• Develop customer roadmaps aligning objectives to technical solutions.
• Design and document solution architecture, BOMs, and configurations.
• Deliver customer-facing presentations, proposals, and reviews.
• Lead technical scoping sessions for SOWs and complex installations.
• Collaborate with delivery engineers to coordinate delivery between customer, sales, and delivery teams.
• Author the technical sections of RFP/RFI/RFQ responses.
• Partner with account executives on planning, strategy, and competitive positioning.
• Serve as SME for network design, implementation, and test approaches.
• Coordinate with OEM field sales and internal teams across regions.
• Support deal strategy when technical objections arise.
• Keep OEM certifications current and maintain vendor relationships.
• Share updates and lessons learned; suggest process improvements.
• Maintain pipeline notes, forecast revenue, and participate in weekly calls.

Skills

Pre-sales engineering

Enterprise networking

Multi-vendor networking

Network design

Communication skills

Education

College degree or equivalent

Tools

Cisco solutions

Arista

Aruba

Fortinet

Juniper

Job description

Hybrid-remote opportunity for candidates geographically located within an hour commute to Glen Allen, Virginia Beach, or Roanoke, Virginia, with a willingness to work on-site 1 to 2 days per week.*

As a Senior Solutions Architect at ePlus you’ll be focusing on strategic planning, road mapping, and design of service-based technology solutions that measurably improve business outcomes. The role bridges business stakeholders and technical teams, translating client needs into secure, scalable, and cost-effective architectures. You will serve as a technical lead supporting the ePlus regional sales team to find and/or create opportunities within our customer base. You will have the opportunity to work with our experienced architects, engineers, and consultants, and under your guidance - bring together the right team to understand our customers' needs and craft the optimal solution.

Own the Technical Sale

• Act as the technical enterprise networking lead and trusted advisor to ePlus account teams and customer stakeholders on your focus area
• Run discovery to capture business and technical requirements, then recommend the ePlus solution (hardware, software, and services)
• Develop and maintain customer roadmaps aligning customer objectives to technical solutions and strategies.
• Design and document solution architecture, detailed configurations, and bills of materials (BOMs)
• Build and deliver customer-facing presentations, proposals, and recommended-solution reviews
• Lead technical scoping sessions for Statements of Work on simple and complex installation, configuration and day-2/managed deals
• Build and maintain relationships with ePlus internal delivery engineers to act as a liaison between customer, sales, and delivery teams.
• Author the technical sections of RFP / RFI / RFQ responses

Win With the Sales Team

• Partner with AEs on account and opportunity planning — qualification, technical strategy, and competitive positioning
• Serve as SME for customer technical staff on network design, configuration, implementation, and test approach
• Work as ePlus’s technical liaison with OEM field sales and in-house systems engineering teams (e.g., Security, Cloud, Data Center, etc.) in the region
• Support deal strategy when technical objections or customer‑satisfaction issues threaten the recommended approach

Stay Current and Raise the Bar

• Keep OEM certifications current for your assigned practice areas and vendors, based on your stated interests and achievements
• Build and maintain relationships with key OEM partners.
• Share product updates, design patterns, and lessons learned with other solutions architects and delivery teams
• Flag new products or services that ePlus should evaluate as practice investments
• Suggest process improvements that make regional presales faster and more consistent

Keep the Engine Running

• Maintain pipeline notes: forecast revenue, win probability, and expected close on a weekly cadence
• Join weekly presales engineering calls and complete expenses / time / CRM admin on time

  Qualifications

  • College degree or equivalent applicable work experience
  • 5+ years of experience in designing or implementing complex network or systems/storage solutions
  • 3+ years of experience in providing pre‑sales engineering support
  • Enterprise Network Architecture & Design: Demonstrated expertise designing complex enterprise networking solutions across routing, switching, WAN, wireless, data center, network security, and cloud connectivity environments.
  • Multi‑Vendor Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of enterprise networking technologies, with deep experience in Cisco solutions and the ability to design and integrate multi‑vendor architectures across platforms such as Arista, Aruba, Fortinet, Juniper, Extreme Networks, or equivalent technologies.
  • Presales Solution Development: Proven ability to lead technical discovery and translate customer business and technical requirements into comprehensive solution architectures, bills of materials (BOMs), technical proposals, RFP/RFI responses, and professional services requirements.
  • Commercial & Services Acumen: Demonstrated success supporting and influencing the sale of enterprise networking solutions and services, with an understanding of opportunity qualification, pipeline development, sales performance, and revenue contribution.
  • Communication & Professional Credentials: Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Relevant industry certifications are preferred, including Cisco CCNP/CCIE Enterprise, HPE/Juniper, Arista, Extreme Networks, or equivalent certifications.

  Core Competencies & Keywords

  Presales Networking Solutions, Network Sales Engineering, Network Sales Engineer, Enterprise Networking Solutions, Network Solutioning, Network Solutions Consulting, Network Solutions Engineer, Network Presales Consultant, Network Pre‑Sales Consultant, Design, Architect, Architecture, Customer‑facing, Customer Facing, Customer Solutions, Solution Consulting, Technical Sales, Pre Sales, Presales, Pre‑sales, Sales Engineering, VAR, Value Added Reseller, Reseller, Network Integrator, Integrator, Technical Discovery, Product Demonstrations, Proof of Concept, POC, Proof of Value, POV, Statement of Work, SOW, Request for Proposal, RFP, Request for Information, RFI, Request for Quote, Request for Quotation, RFQ, LAN, WAN, SD‑WAN, SDN, Campus Networking, Data Center Networking, Network Automation, Network Orchestration

  Position Specifics

  The base salary range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $120,000 and $170,000 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including commissions and discretionary bonuses, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and personal leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. ePlus Benefits highlights can be viewed here.

  If hired, employee will be in an “at‑will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

  Who We Are

  At ePlus, we believe technology is a people business. Our team is passionate, skilled, and driven to deliver solutions that make a real difference. Join us and be part of a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and extraordinary results.

  Corporate Values

  • Respectful communication and cooperation: We prioritize respectful communication, fostering an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
  • Teamwork and employee participation: Collaboration and teamwork thrive through diverse perspectives, both within our teams and in our interactions with our customers.
  • Work/life balance that supports our employees’ varying needs: We value the well‑being of our employees, recognizing that a healthy work‑life balance is pivotal to our collective success.
  • Embracing communities: We embrace and support the communities that nurture us. Our employees’ dedication to fostering positive change is a source of immense pride for us.

  Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

  • We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate or allow discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
  • ePlus is dedicated to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture that represents diversity, enables inclusion, and makes our employees feel comfortable bringing their full, unique selves to work.

  Physical Requirements

  • While performing this role, you will engage in both seated and occasional standing or walking activities. We provide reasonable accommodations, in accordance with relevant laws, to support success in this position.
  • By embracing our values, you will contribute to our collective mission of making a positive impact within our organization and the broader community. We understand that this job description serves as a guide and is not an employment contract.

  ePlus maintains a California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Privacy Notice on our Trust Center, available here: CCPA Privacy Notice.