Systems Architect - SLED Minnesota

We are a distinguished team of hard-working Public Sector Systems Engineers and Architects who are changing how our customers educate, govern, protect and serve. You'll have access to Cisco's broad technology and applications portfolio in a variety of vertical markets including State, Local Government and Education. In addition to mapping business needs to technology solutions, your interpersonal, presentation and problem-solving skills will show leadership and confidence. You will keep up to date on relevant competitor solutions, products and services and assist with the development of formal sales plans and proposals for assigned opportunities.

In this fast-paced, customer-centric role you will provide technical leadership of the sales engagement. You and one or more strategic account managers (AMs) while solving our customers critical business and technical challenges in the IT realm. Accompanied by your AM partner, you will coordinate an extended team of technology and IT services specialists and Cisco technology partners while aligning Cisco solutions to the needs of your customer. Most notably you will establish positive relationships across each customer organization and service as a trusted advisor to those who influence technology and vendor selection.

To succeed in this role requires significant presence at customer sites establishing relationships and delivering software-defined and SaaS platform demonstrations, supporting proofs of concept, and shepherding customer evaluations. Minnesota residence with ability to travel throughout the state is required.

You should excel at communicating technical architectures, solutions and products to key customer decision-makers, including Director-level and above. You excel in one-to-one or one-to-many speaking situations.

• 5+ years related experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in baseline SE skills, and in-depth knowledge in at least one technology area like Data Center, Collaboration, Security, Route/Switch/Wireless, or Programmability.
• Specialist in relevant solutions sets, product line specifications, performance criteria and applications.
• CCNP or equivalent certification preferred
• Basic understanding of programmability
• BS/BA (EE/CS) or equivalent work experience
• Clearly and succinctly convey information and ideas, including expert executive communication and presentation skills.

Our passion is partnering with those who protect, serve, and educate. Our mission is to connect everything: people, processes, data, and things. To innovate everywhere, taking aggressive risks to craft the technologies that give us smart cities, connected cars, safe campuses, and a bunch of really cool stuff that will blow your mind.

We are leaders with vision, unicorn magic nerds, rock stars, dancers, dog-lovers, allies, and the best team you will ever join. We celebrate the creativity and diversity that fuels our innovation. We are dreamers and we are doers. We like it best when you are being you!

#WeAreCisco, where each person is unique, but we bring our talents to work as a team and make a difference. Here's how we do it.

We embrace digital, and help our customers implement change in their digital businesses. Some may think we're "old" (30 years strong!) and only about hardware, but we're also a software company. And a security company. An AI/Machine Learning company. We even invented an intuitive network that adapts, predicts, learns and protects. No other company can do what we do - you can't put us in a box!

But "Digital Transformation" is an empty buzz phrase without a culture that allows for innovation, creativity, and yes, even failure (if you learn from it.)

Day to day, we focus on the give and take. We give our best, we give our egos a break and we give of ourselves (because giving back is built into our DNA.) We take accountability, we take bold steps, and we take difference to heart. Because without diversity of thought and a commitment to equality for all, there is no moving forward.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Cisco will consider for employment, on a case-by-case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.