SR Lead Solution Architect FDE (West Coast) at Alkira

Job description

Alkira is growing our Solutions Architect (SA) team and looking for high-energy, dedicated professionals who can help new and existing clients succeed on our Network-Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform. Sr. Lead Solution Architects are hands-on technologists who embed directly with our largest strategic Enterprise accounts — from pre-sales technical validation through production deployment, adoption, and expansion. The ideal candidate can demonstrate the key technical differentiators of the Alkira service, architect and build alongside customer teams, and help enterprises transform their network to become disruptive, creative, and innovative. As a SA, you sit at the intersection of Sales, Engineering, and the customer: you win technical evaluations, deploy real solutions in customer environments, and shape the product roadmap with a deep understanding of customer technical needs. Responsibilities Embed with strategic customers as the hands-on technical owner from evaluation through production deployment Lead network architecture discussions with customers and partners Design, build, and deploy Alkira-based solutions in customer environments using best practices Develop automation, integrations, and tooling (Terraform, APIs, scripting) to accelerate customer deployments Collaborate directly with customer networking, cloud, and platform teams Conduct technical workshops, trainings, and whiteboard sessions for customers and partners Create design and architecture best practices, reference architectures, and deployment guidelines Provide deep technical support and troubleshooting for customers, escalating and driving resolution with Engineering Own customer success on key accounts from adoption and expansion perspective Work with Alkira Product Management and Engineering to provide feedback on upcoming features from the customer's lens Track and drive key customer features/asks with Product Management through to implementation Minimum Requirements Strong cloud and networking fundamentals 3+ years in a customer-facing technical role (consulting, solutions architecture, sales engineering, or professional services) 1+ years of hands-on experience architecting and deploying cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP, and/or OCI) Hands-on experience designing and building hybrid and public cloud infrastructure Strong networking background in routing technologies and network security Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code and automation tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Python, REST APIs) Experience in large-scale network design/deployment is a plus Strong passion for customer outcomes and creating long-lasting professional relationships Flexibility to travel to customer sites Relevant technical certifications are a plus Excellent written and verbal communication skills BA/BS/MS degree is a plus ABOUT ALKIRA Alkira, a Lumen company , is building the future of enterprise networking: one programmable platform to connect, secure, and operate every cloud, site, partner, data center, and AI workload. Founded by Amir and Atif Khan, the creators of Viptela and pioneers of the SD-WAN market, Alkira was built to radically simplify how enterprises deploy and manage network infrastructure. Today, as part of Lumen, we are bringing that cloud-native operating model to a global network foundation trusted by the world’s largest enterprises. Our platform helps customers move faster without managing hardware, stitching together providers, or operating fragmented cloud networks. Teams can build and scale connectivity on demand, apply consistent security and segmentation, and gain visibility across distributed environments from one place. At Alkira, you’ll help shape the next chapter of networking: cloud-like consumption, private-network performance, and total control across the enterprise. We move fast, solve hard problems, and build technology that changes how global businesses connect. Join us and help build the future of networking. Compensation Disclosure This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors. Location Based Pay Ranges: $118,079 - $196,797 AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV W $123,991 - $206,639: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $129,891 - $216,482: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA Life at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution Life at Alkira is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win. To learn more about Life at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution and how we live into the Lumen 8, please visit: jobs.lumen.com Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Equal Employment Opportunities We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. Privacy Notice Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data. To review Alkira's Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: jobs.lumen.com Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please be advised that Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Alkira, a Lumen Connect Solution , they are not for employment with us but may relate to another company with a similar name.

Requirements

Must-haves

Alkira is growing our Solutions Architect (SA) team and looking for high-energy, dedicated professionals who can help new and existing clients succeed on our Network-Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform.
Sr. Lead Solution Architects are hands-on technologists who embed directly with our largest strategic Enterprise accounts — from pre-sales technical validation through production deployment, adoption, and expansion.
Embed with strategic customers as the hands-on technical owner from evaluation through production deployment
Lead network architecture discussions with customers and partners
Design, build, and deploy Alkira-based solutions in customer environments using best practices
Develop automation, integrations, and tooling (Terraform, APIs, scripting) to accelerate customer deployments
Collaborate directly with customer networking, cloud, and platform teams
Conduct technical workshops, trainings, and whiteboard sessions for customers and partners
Create design and architecture best practices, reference architectures, and deployment guidelines
Provide deep technical support and troubleshooting for customers, escalating and driving resolution with Engineering
Own customer success on key accounts from adoption and expansion perspective
Work with Alkira Product Management and Engineering to provide feedback on upcoming features from the customer's lens
Track and drive key customer features/asks with Product Management through to implementation
Strong cloud and networking fundamentals
3+ years in a customer-facing technical role (consulting, solutions architecture, sales engineering, or professional services)
1+ years of hands-on experience architecting and deploying cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP, and/or OCI)
Hands-on experience designing and building hybrid and public cloud infrastructure
Strong networking background in routing technologies and network security
Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code and automation tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Python, REST APIs)
Strong passion for customer outcomes and creating long-lasting professional relationships
Flexibility to travel to customer sites

Nice-to-haves

Experience in large-scale network design/deployment is a plus
Relevant technical certifications are a plus
BA/BS/MS degree is a plus

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

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