GSD is seeking a highly skilled and client-focused Solutions Architect to join our growing team in Hanover Park, IL. This role serves as a key technical leader, bridging sales, engineering, and project delivery to design and implement innovative IT solutions.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on—capable of translating business needs into scalable, secure, and well-documented technical solutions while supporting revenue growth and ensuring operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Sales & Sales Engineering

• Partner with sales leadership to conduct technical discovery and client needs assessments
• Design and present customized solutions across managed services, cloud, security, and infrastructure
• Lead technical discussions in client meetings, proposals, and demonstrations
• Develop scopes of work, including assumptions, constraints, and pricing inputs
• Support RFPs, RFIs, and technical evaluations

Solution Design & Architecture

• Assess client environments, infrastructure, workflows, and security posture
• Design scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions aligned with MSP best practices
• Architect solutions across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, networking, security, and disaster recovery environments
• Validate solutions against client objectives, compliance requirements, and internal standards

Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Create clear, comprehensive technical documentation, including:
• Solution designs and architecture diagrams
• Statements of Work (SOWs) – technical sections
• Implementation plans and runbooks
• Configuration standards and assumptions
• Ensure all solutions are properly documented and transitioned to support teams
• Maintain documentation within internal systems for scalability and consistency
• Contribute to standard solution templates, service catalogs, and technical playbooks

Client Engagement & Advisory

• Serve as the primary technical advisor during discovery, implementation, and early lifecycle phases
• Communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Identify opportunities for optimization, standardization, and future enhancements

Continuous Improvement & Enablement

• Stay current on emerging technologies, cybersecurity trends, and vendor roadmaps
• Maintain and pursue relevant certifications
• Share knowledge and best practices across teams
• Assist in refining service offerings, onboarding processes, and delivery standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of experience in IT engineering, solution architecture, or technical pre-sales within an MSP or IT services environment
• Proven experience coordinating or leading technical projects

Technical Expertise

• Microsoft 365 and Azure
• Networking and firewall technologies
• Cybersecurity principles and compliance frameworks
• Virtualization (VMware and/or Hyper-V)
• Backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions
• Strong PBX/telephony experience
• Experience creating client-facing technical documentation and project deliverables
• Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Key Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Consultative, client-first mindset
• Ownership and accountability for technical solutions
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Professional, confident, and solution-driven demeanor
• Willingness to travel locally and perform onsite client assessments and site surveys