The Principal Solution Architect leads tailored digital solutions, driving strategic initiatives for clients, enhancing business outcomes through technical expertise and leadership.
Description
At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It's why we're coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we're headed. We're proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW. The Principal Solution Architect is the pinnacle of technical pre-sales expertise within CDW's Digital Velocity (DV) practice. As a senior leader and trusted advisor, this individual plays a critical role in driving strategic digital transformation initiatives for our most complex and high-value clients. The Principal Solution Architect partners closely with CDW customers, internal sales, delivery teams, and technology partners to architect enterprise-grade, scalable, and innovative digital solutions that accelerate business outcomes. This role blends visionary leadership with hands-on technical depth. You will guide customers through transformative solution development, serve as a thought leader in the market, and help shape the future of CDW's Digital Velocity offerings. Your work will directly influence revenue growth, service innovation, and long-term client success.
What you will do:
* Lead the development and delivery of tailored assessment and service solutions, including architecture design, technology optimizations, health checks, deployment roadmaps, and advisory services.
* Accurately design and scope professional services engagements leveraging on prem and hybrid cloud technology.
* Drive strategic customer engagements, lead visioning sessions and align technology solutions with business outcomes.
* Maintain deep technical expertise in their role; Is the "Go To" person for platform engineering solutions, both technically and strategically; is on the forefront of their solution(s) and the implications for CDW offerings.
* Lead technical discovery sessions with C-level executives, IT leaders, and engineering teams to understand business objectives, technical constraints, and modernization goals
* Maintain top-level certifications and continuing education across CDW's strategic partner ecosystem.
* Actively participate in and speak at industry events and conferences, establishing yourself and CDW as leaders in the digital transformation space.
* Produce thought leadership content, whitepapers, and internal enablement material to strengthen CDW's intellectual property and market presence.
* Build and sustain deep relationships with customers, sellers, and technology partners to foster long-term growth and customer satisfaction.
* Stay ahead of market trends and regulatory changes across verticals, advising clients on how to stay competitive and compliant.
* Leads the development of Statements of Work, RPFs, RFIs, and proposal content for cross-technology solutions with high levels of accuracy and quality.
What we expect of you:
* Bachelor's degree and 10+ years delivering, architecting or selling complex technical solutions including planning, development, implementation and support. Or, 14+ years delivering, architecting or selling complex technical solutions including planning, development, implementation and support.
* Previous direct customer consulting experience or equivalent understanding of role responsibilities.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and complex sales cycles in large enterprise environments.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels, including executive stakeholders.
* Strong coaching and mentoring abilities to support team development across sales and technical roles.
* Thought leadership in the form of published content, public speaking, or industry recognition.
* Master's degree in business, Technology, or a related field, a plus.
* Experience building go-to-market strategies or leading product/solution development in a professional services organization, a plus.
* Recognition as an industry expert in one or more verticals (e.g., healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail), a plus. Pay range: $159,000 - $231,000 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
* CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization
* We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances- not replaces- human creativity and decision-making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.
* About Us
* CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do- it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one- building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win- focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward- staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees- working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.
* Together, we Make Amazing Happen.
* CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.
At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It's why we're coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we're headed. We're proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW. The Principal Solution Architect is the pinnacle of technical pre-sales expertise within CDW's Digital Velocity (DV) practice. As a senior leader and trusted advisor, this individual plays a critical role in driving strategic digital transformation initiatives for our most complex and high-value clients. The Principal Solution Architect partners closely with CDW customers, internal sales, delivery teams, and technology partners to architect enterprise-grade, scalable, and innovative digital solutions that accelerate business outcomes. This role blends visionary leadership with hands-on technical depth. You will guide customers through transformative solution development, serve as a thought leader in the market, and help shape the future of CDW's Digital Velocity offerings. Your work will directly influence revenue growth, service innovation, and long-term client success.
What you will do:
* Lead the development and delivery of tailored assessment and service solutions, including architecture design, technology optimizations, health checks, deployment roadmaps, and advisory services.
* Accurately design and scope professional services engagements leveraging on prem and hybrid cloud technology.
* Drive strategic customer engagements, lead visioning sessions and align technology solutions with business outcomes.
* Maintain deep technical expertise in their role; Is the "Go To" person for platform engineering solutions, both technically and strategically; is on the forefront of their solution(s) and the implications for CDW offerings.
* Lead technical discovery sessions with C-level executives, IT leaders, and engineering teams to understand business objectives, technical constraints, and modernization goals
* Maintain top-level certifications and continuing education across CDW's strategic partner ecosystem.
* Actively participate in and speak at industry events and conferences, establishing yourself and CDW as leaders in the digital transformation space.
* Produce thought leadership content, whitepapers, and internal enablement material to strengthen CDW's intellectual property and market presence.
* Build and sustain deep relationships with customers, sellers, and technology partners to foster long-term growth and customer satisfaction.
* Stay ahead of market trends and regulatory changes across verticals, advising clients on how to stay competitive and compliant.
* Leads the development of Statements of Work, RPFs, RFIs, and proposal content for cross-technology solutions with high levels of accuracy and quality.
What we expect of you:
* Bachelor's degree and 10+ years delivering, architecting or selling complex technical solutions including planning, development, implementation and support. Or, 14+ years delivering, architecting or selling complex technical solutions including planning, development, implementation and support.
* Previous direct customer consulting experience or equivalent understanding of role responsibilities.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and complex sales cycles in large enterprise environments.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels, including executive stakeholders.
* Strong coaching and mentoring abilities to support team development across sales and technical roles.
* Thought leadership in the form of published content, public speaking, or industry recognition.
* Master's degree in business, Technology, or a related field, a plus.
* Experience building go-to-market strategies or leading product/solution development in a professional services organization, a plus.
* Recognition as an industry expert in one or more verticals (e.g., healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail), a plus. Pay range: $159,000 - $231,000 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
* CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization
* We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances- not replaces- human creativity and decision-making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.
* About Us
* CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do- it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one- building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win- focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward- staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees- working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.
* Together, we Make Amazing Happen.
* CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.
CDW Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
625 W Adams St., Chicago, IL, United States, 60661
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