Senior Solutions Engineer

The Senior Solution Engineer role is a consulting position and requires a minimum of 10 years experience working within a Managed Service Provider delivering strong Pre-Sales or Solution Architect activities/designs. The role is focused on Networking and Security infrastructure to provide Telecommunication services delivering connectivity and other overlay services within the DDaT Engineering and Design team to customers across the UK Rail industry for Rail infrastructure and Mobile Signalling, Systems, Telephony (TDM and IP), WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, Datacentre and Cloud. Design activities start with requirements capture followed by stakeholder engagement, high level diagrams and document development to create a final costed and approved Solution Proposal to support customer requests for new Project implementations, Enhancements to live projects and Technology refresh/renewals., Senior Solution Engineer proposals deliver end to end designs that are repeatable solutions using defined Solution and Architectural Building Blocks. Additionally identification of undefined Architectural/Solution Building Blocks within the DDaT portfolio is required to engage multiple stakeholders across the business with the objective of creating cost efficient repeatable solutions., The Senior Solution Engineer role is a consulting position and requires a minimum of 10 years’ of experience working within a Managed Service Provider delivering strong Pre-Sales or Solution Architect activities/designs focused on Networking and Security infrastructure supporting overlay services such as IP telephony. The Senior Solutions Engineer role is responsible for the pre-sales and post-sales technical consultancy to existing and prospect customers, producing solutions based on DDaT’s product portfolio, with an input into pricing model and quote/order processing. The role is technical in nature and customer focused, but it is expected that the individual is able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the bid cycle. Solutions Engineers works closely with Demand and Forecast Heads of Business Partnering, Customer Service Managers, Lead Delivery Managers, Service Owners, as well as Technology & Engineering groups to ensure the solutions are aligned with customers’ requirements, which are viable and suitable focussing on whole life costs to operate. What will you be doing?

• Engaging with DDaT customers/clients to understand the business requirements / problem statements and translate to standard products & services.
• To design solutions directly for DDaT customers and check that the solutions proposed align with the as-is and to-be network architecture & strategy, liaising with NRT Net Architecture if the solution is non-standard.
• Manage stakeholder understanding and expectation regarding the solution; confirming functionality meets business needs in line with the business plan and whole life cost model.
• Provide technical solutions consultancy to Telecoms related projects as required, preparing tenders, proposals and quotations.
• Identify opportunities for the implementation of technical improvements that add value to the business through achievement of 'better, faster, cheaper' services.
• Working with Product Management, Technology & Innovation to enhance the product portfolio based on industry understanding and the needs of the customer base.
• Work in conjunction with approved suppliers to understand product road mapping and impact of end-of-life products to provide seamless integration into the environment.
• Support the quote and order processing by providing clarity on the customer requirements in line with the “right first time” Service Delivery approach. Includes technical coaching and mentoring where required.
  
  Telecommunications services experience, pre/post-sales and network/service design within a service provider/integrator environment in a customer facing role.
• Excellent technical skills to effectively liaise with new and existing customers to understand their requirements and suggest solutions based on the products and service portfolios, as well as network capabilities.
• A demonstrable and practical understanding of both wholesale & enterprise telecoms services, in particular DWDM, Ethernet, MPLS VPNs, Security, VoIP, SDH, LAN/WAN environment, hosting, CCTV
• Strong negotiation skills derived from working within a corporate and /or utilities governance environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain, both in presentation form and verbally, complex technical solutions, to all levels within internal & external organisations.
• Sufficient seniority and credibility to advise senior management in relation to the solutions.
• Self-starter, able to drive initiatives with minimal direction.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure of tight timescales if required.
• Flexible and open-minded to different approaches to solution design and deployment
• Clear understanding of the bid cycle.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Desirable
• Cisco certs, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCIE
• Knowledge of telecoms within the rail or transport industry sector
• Understanding of a number of the following: Excellent Business Acumen with strong commercial focus (P&L) and financially astute
• Recognition of the dynamics and characteristics of the telecom market products, services and suppliers.
  
  We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance. We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers. Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution. As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway – we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool – it's the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant. Get ready to embark on a journey where your skills will not just be utilised; they'll be honed and expanded. You are not just joining a team; you are becoming part of a collective force helping to build and operate a railway fit for the next 200 years!, At Network Rail, we have several employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. In IT Services, we have a group of Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on D&I at Network Rail, please follow this link

Remote working opportunity! this role requires working in the office 2/3 days a week We are an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions. We offer excellent benefits, including: Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days. Defined benefit pension scheme. 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets. Up to 75% off leisure travel. ️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets. Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass. Flexible/hybrid working arrangements. ️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact. Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more. We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments. Plus, more…. We are proud to be recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality for the third year in a row. Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity. Safety is our number one priority. We are undertaking an ambitious change. Our vision is Putting Passengers First - becoming a company that is on the side of passengers and freight users. As one of the UK’s leading equal opportunities employers, our values and the way we behave is important to us and we have created an environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution. We have seven employee networks that provide fantastic support, opportunities and development for applicants from all backgrounds.