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
