The Network for AI (NFAI) Inside Solutions Architect / Specialist is responsible for driving data center networking and routing solution opportunities across commercial and lower-tier enterprise accounts through a virtual-first engagement model
This role serves as the inside counterpart to field-led enterprise specialist coverage, owning a defined segment of accounts where opportunities may involve meaningful technical complexity, multi-stakeholder buying processes, and executive alignment. In addition to sales responsibilities, the role acts as a subject matter expert (SME) for the NFAI portfolio, providing solution design guidance and architectural perspective to Account Managers and Sales Engineers
Success in this role requires a seller who can balance the efficiency of an inside model with the technical depth required to design credible architectures, guide solution direction, and support account teams in positioning HPE Networking technologies effectively
The role frequently partners with Account Managers, Sales Engineers, partners, and field specialists to develop pipeline, shape opportunities, and deliver technically sound networking solutions
Drive pipeline development and revenue growth for HPE Networking’s data center networking, routing, and AI infrastructure connectivity portfolio across assigned commercial and lower-tier enterprise accounts
Lead consultative discovery conversations to understand customer business objectives, infrastructure requirements, and modernization initiatives
Translate business and technical requirements into solution architectures in collaboration with Sales Engineers, recommending appropriate designs, deployment models, and phased adoption strategies
Provide architectural guidance during early opportunity stages, helping customers and internal teams evaluate topology options, fabric architectures, scalability considerations, and integration points
Progress opportunities using structured sales methodologies (such as MEDDPICC), ensuring alignment around decision criteria, business value, and stakeholder sponsorship
Build and communicate compelling business cases that connect networking modernization initiatives to measurable business outcomes such as scalability, performance, resilience, operational efficiency, and cost optimization
Establish trusted relationships with technical and business stakeholders including network architects, IT managers, infrastructure leaders, and operations teams
Engage confidently with director-, VP-, and selected C-level stakeholders when executive sponsorship is required to advance an opportunity
Navigate complex buying committees and align internal and external stakeholders around architecture direction and investment rationale
Act as a subject matter expert for the NFAI portfolio, supporting Account Managers and Sales Engineers with technical positioning, solution architecture guidance, and competitive differentiation
Assist account teams in designing networking solutions that align with validated architectures, customer requirements, and HPE Networking best practices
Provide architectural input during account strategy development, helping teams identify modernization opportunities and expansion paths
Support technical discussions such as solution topology, scalability planning, integration with compute/storage platforms, and AI infrastructure connectivity requirements
Collaborate with Sales Engineers on detailed solution validation while maintaining ownership of overall solution strategy and value articulation
Collaborate closely with Account Managers, Sales Engineers, channel partners, and field specialists to advance complex opportunities and ensure coordinated pursuit strategies
Qualify when to lead independently versus when to engage additional technical, executive, or specialist resources based on opportunity complexity and account dynamics
Leverage partner ecosystems to expand reach, accelerate solution adoption, and support joint account strategies
Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasting, and opportunity hygiene within Salesforce and associated sales tools
Apply disciplined opportunity qualification and prioritization to ensure efficient use of time and resources across a higher-volume inside sales environment
Maintain deep working knowledge of HPE Networking’s data center switching, routing, AI networking, and fabric architectures
Understand how networking infrastructure integrates with compute, storage, and AI workloads within modern data center and hybrid cloud environments
Stay current on validated designs, architectural best practices, and evolving networking technologies relevant to AI and data center modernization
Maintain awareness of competitive networking technologies to articulate architectural differentiation and displacement strategies
Owns a defined set of commercial and lower-tier enterprise accounts, typically domestic or regional in scope
Opportunities may range from incremental infrastructure expansion to competitive replacements and architectural modernization initiatives
Handles a higher volume of opportunities than field-led specialist roles while still navigating meaningful technical complexity and multi-stakeholder buying environments
Frequently supports account teams as an architectural SME while advancing sales pursuits through an inside engagement model
Benefits
The chance to earn an annual bonus based on performance
Recognition for your contributions, and potential participation in long-term incentives like annual equity awards
Subsidized health insurance, retirement programs and paid time off, including an industry-leading maternity and paternity leave package
A hybrid, flexible work model that ensures connectivity, a commitment to our culture and continued impact for team members
Opportunities for personal and professional development to help you reach your career goals
Bi-lingual English / French or, English / German language skills are highly preferable
Proven success selling and positioning networking infrastructure solutions within commercial and/or enterprise environments
Candidates with slightly less experience must demonstrate exceptional technical credibility, executive communication skills, and a track record of supporting complex infrastructure solutions
6–8+ years of experience in networking technology sales, specialist sales, or hybrid technical-commercial roles
Demonstrated ability to participate in or lead solution architecture discussions related to switching, routing, and data center networking
Experience collaborating with Sales Engineers on solution design and technical validation
Capability to provide SME support to account teams by guiding solution positioning, architecture decisions, and technical strategy
Ability to translate customer requirements into credible solution designs and architectural approaches
Strong executive communication skills and ability to build credibility with both technical and business stakeholders
Strong understanding of data center networking architectures including leaf-spine designs, fabric architectures, and scalable routing solutions
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced inside sales environment that requires balancing technical engagement with opportunity volume
High level of sales discipline, forecasting accuracy, and opportunity management rigor
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