JOB SUMMARY

The Solutions Architect will play a key role in supporting the Sales team and Sales Managers for tier 1 and tier 2 prospects and customers by leading architectural discussions. The Solutions Architect will do the utmost to convince prospects of the solutions we are offering. To accomplish this, the Solutions Architect must understand the customer’s challenges and requirements through conversations with the customer’s technical team, matching those requirements with the right combination and configuration of our solutions. The Solutions Architect is responsible for defining and preparing product demonstrations to customers that match their expectations. The demos are expected to go above and beyond a standard demo, incorporating the knowledge gathered about the client’s needs, and creating a first “wow” experience with them. As a Solutions Architect you are the technical SPOC for the team, ready to answer technical questions rapidly and professionally, if needed involving additional technical experts within the wider company. In some cases, the process may include technical compliance analysis (like in an RFx process), in which case the Solutions Architect is expected to support the bid manager to supply the right answers to the requirements list, carefully looking after the balance between delivering what the client wants and setting the right expectations (that means avoiding to overpromise on anything that could not be delivered).
Hybrid working policy allows for remote working. However, occasional travel (once a month) to meet onsite with the key stakeholders, as well as with other IQGeo employees located in one of our Centers of Excellence (Ghent, Frankfurt, or Cambridge) is expected.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Build up and maintain expert knowledge on IQGeo software usage in order to have a thorough understanding of the technical scope of the sale.
• Ability to build Demonstrations and Proof of Concepts (POCs) to present new solutions to the customers (end users, technical experts, IT experts, senior management).
• Relevant technical expertise which may include:
• Experience with Python and Javascript.
• Experience with SQL and RDBMS technology (PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQLite).
• Experience with Docker containers/images.
• Experience with K8s, Amazon AWS is helpful.
• Experience with Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) or web mapping is helpful.
• Experience with ETL tools such as Safe Software’s FME, GeoKettle or Python libraries is helpful.
• Excellent listening and oral communication skills; the ability to think on your feet, to articulate technical solutions and how they can solve customers’ business problems to all audiences from the very technical to non-technical.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. A hands-on problem solver, with ability to think on your feet and change approach as required.
• Fluent English language skills are essential.
• Being open and flexible with regards to time management and willingness to travel.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant Engineering or Technical subject.
• Minimum 5 years of technology and industry experience and 3 years of experience in a customer facing role in a technology organization, preferably working with enterprise sized customers.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Solutions Architect supports the sales team (Sales Managers, Solution Engineers and Customer Success Managers) by:

• Engaging in the sales cycle and taking charge of the technical aspects and deliverables during the potential customer’s product evaluation.
• Meetings with customers (both prospects and existing customers) to fully appreciate and understand the problem the customer is trying to solve.
• Interfacing with partners to define integrations between IQGeo products and other solutions.
• Define and implement appropriate demonstrations to fulfil the customer’s needs.
• Manage demo and test environments for the presales team. Confidently presenting these to the customer at the technical level.
• Play an active role in the preparation of new products for the market.
• Work closely with Product and Engineering on identification and tracking of product improvement requests.
• Work with delivery teams on effort estimations for additional work-items like extra customisations and training. Ensure a smooth transition from presales to implementation.