Principal Solution Architect

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Solution Architect (PSA) - VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) to lead the design, deployment, and optimization of enterprise-scale virtualization and cloud foundation solutions. This role sits between Senior Technical Consultant and Manager levels and combines deep technical expertise with delivery leadership and client engagement responsibilities.

The PSA acts as a senior technical lead on VCF engagements, driving solution architecture and implementation while mentoring junior consultants and collaborating with architects and managers to ensure successful project outcomes. This role requires strong hands-on expertise across the VMware SDDC stack along with the ability to guide teams, influence stakeholders, and ensure delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical design and implementation of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) solutions across enterprise environments.
• Own end-to-end technical delivery for assigned projects and workstreams.
• Deploy and configure VCF components including vSphere, vCenter, vSAN, NSX, SDDC Manager, and Aria Suite.
• Support architecture and solution design decisions in collaboration with Architects and Managers.
• Drive lifecycle management, upgrades, patching, and optimization of VCF environments.
• Design and implement automation and Infrastructure-as-Code practices using tools such as PowerCLI, Terraform, and Ansible.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and performance tuning across virtualization and cloud platforms.
• Conduct technical workshops, design reviews, and knowledge transfer sessions for customers and internal teams.
• Contribute to process improvements, automation frameworks, and reusable deployment methodologies.

Skills Required

• Strong hands-on expertise with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and SDDC stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, SDDC Manager, Aria Suite).
• Proven experience in architecture, deployment, and lifecycle management of VCF environments.
• Experience with VCF on VxRail, HCI platforms, or VMware Cloud on AWS.
• Solid understanding of SDN, enterprise storage, security controls, and DR strategies.
• Experience with automation and scripting tools (PowerCLI, Terraform, Ansible, Python).
• Strong troubleshooting and performance optimization skills.
• Experience integrating VCF with third-party tools such as backup, monitoring, and security platforms.
• Ability to lead technical workstreams and guide small delivery teams.
• Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to conduct technical workshops and design sessions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work across teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Typically 14-17+ years of experience in IT Infrastructure / Cloud / Virtualization.
• Significant hands-on experience delivering VMware Cloud Foundation solutions.
• Relevant VMware certifications strongly preferred, such as:
• VMware Cloud Foundation Specialist / Architect Certification
• VCAP / VCIX
• VMware Certified Specialist - Cloud Foundation (latest version)
• AWS/Azure cloud certifications are a plus.

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

India Employment Benefits include:

Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees, with options to extend coverage to dependents

Paid time off and company holidays, along with additional leave benefits as per policy

Flexible work arrangements, supporting work-life balance

Learning and development opportunities to support continuous growth and upskilling

Employee wellness initiatives and programs focused on physical and mental well-being

Retirement and statutory benefits in line with India regulations

Inclusive and people-first culture, with a strong focus on collaboration and ownership