
Specialist Solution Architect
Red Hat · California, United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- California, United States
Job highlights
- Support DoD with IT automation expertise.
- Focus on pre-sales for Ansible Automation.
- Act as technical advisor and SME.
- Develop enterprise-level business solutions.
- Collaborate with account and engineering teams.
About the role
Specialist Solution Architect - Red Hat Sales
Red Hat is seeking a Specialist Solution Architect to join their Sales team, focusing on supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) through expertise in IT infrastructure automation. This pre-sales role emphasizes the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, aiming to help government agencies enhance efficiency, minimize errors, and bolster security via automated solutions. Success in this position requires strong technical knowledge, effective communication, and the ability to craft enterprise-level business solutions. A TS Clearance or higher is preferred but not mandatory.
Role Responsibilities
The Specialist Solution Architect will operate independently, tackling complex technical challenges and employing creative solutions to ensure customer validation and adoption of Red Hat's technical offerings. As a subject matter expert (SME) for specific product lines, you will provide deep technical insights during pre-sales activities, including custom demonstrations, workshops, and Proofs of Concept (POCs). You will collaborate closely with account teams, product engineering, customer success, and partner ecosystems to align technical solutions with customer business objectives. Experience with the US Navy and Marine Corps is a significant advantage. This role may involve handling sensitive customer information, necessitating adherence to Red Hat's policies and privacy laws.
Key Activities Include:
- Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to validate technical solutions and support account teams in pre-sales engagements.
- Delivering tailored technical presentations, including in-depth demos, workshops, and POCs, utilizing both traditional and emerging tools.
- Developing technical strategies for complex opportunities, including responses to RFx (RFI, RFP, RFQ) and architecture designs.
- Collaborating with product engineering to align solution designs with product roadmaps and industry trends.
- Partnering with customer success and ecosystem partners to ensure seamless post-sale adoption and expansion.
- Creating reusable technical assets, such as architecture templates and battle cards, to disseminate best practices.
- Representing Red Hat in technical forums, sharing insights on product capabilities and practical use cases.
- Guiding customers through automation adoption, from initial implementation to advanced use cases like self-healing infrastructure, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Security, Network, Edge, and Hybrid Cloud Automation.
- Achieving revenue and deployment targets while maintaining high customer satisfaction.
- Actively contributing to Red Hat's internal communities of practice, leading knowledge sharing on the automation portfolio.
- Continuously learning and exploring new technologies to solve enterprise challenges.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Minimum of 4 years of architecture experience in automation technologies, operating systems, enterprise virtualization, cloud, networking, or datacenter infrastructure.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Exceptional presentation and public speaking skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Red Hat certifications.
- Experience in a consulting role, providing strategic advisory services to senior IT and business executives.
- Profound technical expertise in cloud solutions and architecture.
- Strong team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A solutions sales mindset within a multi-offering environment.
- Demonstrated success in collaborating with distributed, cross-functional teams to meet customer objectives.
- Experience in front-line sales or quota-carrying roles is advantageous.
- Direct experience with Ansible or similar automation tools (e.g., Puppet, Chef, SaltStack).
- Willingness to travel up to 50%.
- TS clearance or higher is preferred.
Salary and Compensation:
The salary range for this position is $0.00 - $0.00. The final offer will be determined by factors such as qualifications, job location, experience, applicable skills, training, and external market value. Compensation may include annual salary, bonus, commission, and/or equity. For remote positions within the US, the salary range may vary by location but will be commensurate with duties and experience.
About Red Hat:
Red Hat is the global leader in enterprise open-source software solutions. We utilize a community-driven approach to deliver advanced Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. With associates in over 40 countries, Red Hat offers flexible work environments, including in-office, hybrid, and remote options, depending on role requirements. We foster an open, inclusive culture where innovative ideas are encouraged regardless of title or tenure, making us a leader in open source innovation.
Benefits:
Red Hat provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time, permanent associates in the United States, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and dependent care)
- Health Savings Account (high-deductible medical plan)
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Family planning reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Transportation expense account
- Employee Assistance Program
Inclusion and Equal Opportunity:
Red Hat's culture is founded on open-source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion. We believe the best ideas can emerge from anywhere and anyone, empowering diverse individuals to share insights, challenge norms, and drive innovation. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and access, ensuring all voices are heard and celebrated. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
Red Hat is an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Red Hat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. We are not liable for fees related to unsolicited submissions unless a written contract is in place. For assistance with the online application, please contact application-assistance@redhat.com.
Key skills/competency
- Specialist Solution Architect
- IT Infrastructure Automation
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform
- Pre-sales Engagements
- Technical Advisor
- Enterprise-level Business Solutions
- Subject Matter Expert (SME)
- Proof of Concepts (POCs)
- Customer Validation
Skills & topics
- Specialist Solution Architect
- Red Hat
- Solution Architecture
- IT Automation
- Ansible
- Pre-Sales
- DoD
- Cloud Solutions
- Infrastructure as Code
- Technical Sales
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with IT infrastructure automation, Red Hat Ansible, and pre-sales engagements, especially within the DoD sector.
- Showcase technical expertise: Emphasize your ability to deliver compelling demos, workshops, and POCs, and your deep understanding of cloud solutions.
- Demonstrate consulting skills: Provide examples of how you've acted as a strategic technical advisor to senior executives and guided customers through complex solutions.
- Highlight collaboration: Showcase your experience working with cross-functional teams, including sales, engineering, and partner ecosystems.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to solving complex customer challenges and your understanding of Red Hat's products and open-source philosophy.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the preferred clearance for the Specialist Solution Architect role at Red Hat?
- While a TS Clearance or higher is preferred for the Specialist Solution Architect position at Red Hat, it is not a mandatory requirement to apply for the role. The company values your expertise and experience in IT infrastructure automation and pre-sales engagements.
- Does Red Hat offer remote work options for the Specialist Solution Architect position?
- Red Hat offers flexible work environments, including remote options, depending on the specific requirements of the role. While this Specialist Solution Architect role involves significant customer-facing activities and travel, inquire during the application process about potential remote or hybrid arrangements if applicable to your location.
- What specific Red Hat products will I focus on as a Specialist Solution Architect?
- As a Specialist Solution Architect, your primary focus will be on the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. You will leverage your expertise in IT infrastructure automation to create solutions for customers, particularly within the Department of Defense sector.
- Is experience with the US Navy or Marine Corps required for this role?
- Experience with the US Navy and Marine Corps is considered a plus for the Specialist Solution Architect position, as you will be exclusively working with these customers. However, strong expertise in IT infrastructure automation and pre-sales will be highly valued.
- What kind of technical challenges can I expect as a Specialist Solution Architect at Red Hat?
- You can expect to tackle varied and non-routine complex technical challenges, acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). This includes developing technical strategies, designing architectures, delivering custom demos and POCs, and guiding customers towards advanced automation use cases such as self-healing infrastructure and Infrastructure as Code.
- How does Red Hat determine compensation for the Specialist Solution Architect role?
- Red Hat determines compensation based on factors including job location, experience, skills, training, market value, and internal equity. The Specialist Solution Architect role may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity, in addition to the base salary.
- What is Red Hat's approach to open-source software and company culture?
- Red Hat is a leader in enterprise open-source software, driven by a community-powered approach. Our culture is built on transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, encouraging innovative ideas from all associates, regardless of title or tenure.