Solutions Architect (iOCO0193) at iOCO

Job Description

• Are you an experienced Solutions Architect with a strong background in enterprise networking and a passion for designing innovative technology solutions? We are looking for a technically skilled and customer-focused professional with extensive ICT networking experience and the ability to translate complex client requirements into effective network solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, wireless networking, SD-WAN, network security, cloud networking and Unified Communications. You will play a key role in developing solution designs, preparing technical proposals and bills of materials (BOMs), responding to RFPs and RFQs, and engaging with clients, OEMs and internal technical teams.

What you'll do:
The candidate should have a working understanding of:

• TCP/IP and IPv4 / IPv6.
• Routing and switching.
• BGP and OSPF fundamentals.
• VLANs and network segmentation.
• DNS and DHCP.
• NAT.
• VPN and IPsec technologies.
• Firewall policies and network security.
• SD-WAN.
• QoS.
• High availability and redundancy.
• Wireless networking.
• Internet and enterprise connectivity.
• SIP / VoIP fundamentals.
• Cloud networking fundamentals.
• Network monitoring and management.

Your Expertise:

• Excellent customer interaction.
• Networking Experience
• 10+ years' practical ICT networking experience.
• Strong hands-on experience within enterprise networking environments.
• Experience with routing, switching, firewall, wireless and/or SD-WAN technologies.
• Experience supporting, implementing or designing multi-site enterprise networks.
• Good understanding of LAN, WAN, SD-WAN and network security concepts.
• Experience troubleshooting and understanding real-world enterprise network environments.
• Experience with Unified Communications
• Solutions Architecture / Technical Pre-Sales Experience
• 2–5 years' exposure to Technical Pre-Sales, Solution Design, Network Pre-Sales and/or Solutions
• Architecture is preferred.Experience interpreting client technical requirements.
• Exposure to developing technical proposals, solution designs and BOMs.
• Experience engaging with clients, OEMs, distributors and internal technical teams.
• Previous RFP, RFQ, RFI or tender response experience would be advantageous.
• Candidates with strong networking engineering experience and limited formal Solutions Architecture experience may also be considered where they demonstrate the capability and ambition to transition into a Solutions Architecture role.

Qualifications:
Qualification Essential Competency

• National Senior Certificate/ Senior Certificate/ Grade 12
• English - Can converse and has the necessary email skills to be able to deal with relevant stakeholders
• Pass typical recruitment checks (criminal, qualification, ID verification checks, etc.)

Qualifications preferred/ knowledge

• A relevant qualification would be advantageous:
• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Networking, Telecommunications or a related discipline; or
• Relevant industry technical qualifications supported by substantial practical networking experience.

Networking Certifications

• Relevant networking certifications and/or equivalent demonstrable competency would be advantageous, including:
• Cisco CCNA / CCNP or equivalent.
• Fortinet networking and security certifications.
• HPE Aruba networking certifications.
• Juniper JNCIA / JNCIS or equivalent.
• Other recognised enterprise networking certifications.
• The emphasis will be on practical networking capability and solution design potential rather than certification alone.

Additional Advantageous Certifications / Methodologies

• Exposure to or certification in the following would be beneficial:
• ITIL Foundation.
• Agile / Scrum methodologies.
• TOGAF or other architecture methodologies.
• Project management fundamentals.
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals or Azure networking.
• Security-related certifications.
• Unified Communications OEM certifications

Other information applicable to the opportunity:

• Permanent position
• Location: Johannesburg
• Physical Demands: Sitting, walking
• Travel: Must have a vehicle and a valid driver’s license to travel to work and clients