Job Description:

Solutions Architect / Solutions Consultant

(Pre‑Sales | Enterprise Networking | Cisco Specialist)

Location: Manchester / Warrington (Hybrid)

About Us

We deliver comprehensive networking and IT infrastructure solutions to a diverse range of sectors including hospitality, manufacturing, transport, retail, chemical, and the public sector. Our expertise includes enterprise networking, intent-based networking, wireless solutions, LAN/WAN, Passive Optical LAN, security, structured cabling, and modern workplace solutions.

As a Cisco partner, we focus on creating secure, agile, and high-performance networks. Our mission is to optimise IT resources, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency for our clients. We are proud of our heritage, continued growth, and our prestigious end customers, ranging from SMEs to global brands.

Overview

We are seeking a technically sharp, commercially aware Solutions Architect / Solutions Consultant to join our Commercial Team. This role sits at the heart of our pre‑sales function, bridging deep technical expertise with strong customer engagement.

You will shape solution architectures, drive trust, and ensure our designs lead to impactful, outcome‑based results for enterprise customers.
This role requires a candidate who can confidently move between technical detail and strategic business value, working closely with C‑Suite stakeholders while maintaining core engineering credibility.

Key Responsibilities

Pre‑Sales Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Lead the end‑to‑end technical stages of the pre‑sales process, stepping seamlessly into solution architecture to define robust, scalable customer outcomes.
• Design enterprise LAN networking solutions, ensuring clarity on our core capabilities and on‑premise networking strengths.
• Translate customer challenges into tailored architectures that drive efficiency, innovation, and measurable business impact.

Customer Engagement & Communication

• Build strong customer confidence by delivering clear, framed communications and technically assured guidance.
• Present compelling bid/tender presentations that articulate both technical value and strategic benefits.
• Work collaboratively with commercial leads, technical teams, and managed service teams to ensure alignment from concept through delivery.

Technical Depth & Solution Expertise

• Architect solutions across switching, Wi‑Fi, Meraki, SD‑WAN, ISE, Umbrella, Duo, and endpoint technologies.
• Apply strong Cisco networking fundamentals (mandatory), ideally supported by CCNP‑level capability or equivalent accreditation.
• Conduct skills gap awareness and contribute to the development of managed services and professional services offerings.

Required Skills & Experience (Essentials)

• Strong Cisco Networking expertise: switching, wireless, Meraki, SD‑WAN, LAN enterprise networking. (Mandatory)
• CISCO accredited - CCNP / CCNA
• Cisco Firewalls - including Cisco ASA (5500‑X series) and Cisco Secure Firewall / Firepower appliances (1000, 2100, 3100, 4100, and 9300 series), with the ability to design, deploy, and support on‑premise security architectures, covering NGFW policy, IPS, VPN, and advanced threat protection.
• Ability to design, justify, and articulate enterprise‑grade architectures to mixed technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Broad knowledge of security stacks including Umbrella, Duo, Secure Access, ISE, and endpoint security.
• Confident communication skills: persuasive, structured, and grounded in technical credibility.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and ability to link technical solutions to business outcomes.
• Strong documentation capability, including production of High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), and all supporting technical documentation, ensuring clear architecture definitions, detailed configuration guidance, and structured design artefacts suitable for both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, including next‑generation security capabilities such as IPS, SSL inspection, web filtering, malware protection, and familiarity with the FortiOS unified security platform.
• Exposure to IoT and emerging networking technologies.

Why Join Us?

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to stay hands‑on with technology while growing into a trusted advisor and architectural leader. You’ll work on high‑impact solutions, influence design strategy, and help shape the future of enterprise networking for our customers.