Solutions Architect - Modernization
United States
Overview
At NetApp, we have a history of helping customers turn challenges into business opportunities. That’s because we bring new thinking to age-old problems, like how to use data most effectively in the most efficient possible way. As an Engineer with NetApp, you’ll have the opportunity to work with modern cloud and container orchestration technologies in a production setting. You’ll play an important role in scaling systems sustainably through automation and evolving them by pushing for changes to improve reliability and velocity.
Success profile
Ready to be an engineer at NetApp? Explore the traits that can help you thrive.
- Analytical
- Adaptable
- Communicator
- Detail-oriented
- Quick-thinking
- Problem solver
Responsibilities
United States Job category: Systems Engineering Job ID: 132942-en_USAbout NetApp
NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, turning a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. No matter the data type, workload or environment, we help our customers identify and realize new business possibilities. And it all starts with our people.
If this sounds like something you want to be part of, NetApp is the place for you. You can help bring new ideas to life, approaching each challenge with fresh eyes. Of course, you won't be doing it alone. At NetApp, we're all about asking for help when we need it, collaborating with others, and partnering across the organization - and beyond.
LOCATION
This position supports MidWest and Canadian customers. Candidates must be based in the Mid-West region of the United States to be considered.
JOB SUMMARY
NetApp’s Solutions Architecture (SA) organization is a specialized technical team that partners closely with Enterprise Sales to drive complex customer conversations that require deep subject-matter expertise. SAs step in when customers need high-level architectural guidance, strategic planning, and trusted advisory. As a Senior SA, you influence customer direction, help shape refresh and modernization strategies, and guide customers through key decisions about how they consume NetApp technology.
In this role, you will support the Modernization & Keystone pillar for the Mid-West and Canada, helping customers understand their current lifecycle timelines, refresh options, and consumption model choices, including Keystone, subscription licensing programs, etc. You will partner closely with Enterprise Client Executives (who own the customer relationship), while serving as the specialist architect who leads higher-level conversations with customers, including at the C-suite level. This role is highly consultative, data-informed, and proactive, focused on helping customers modernize, optimize, and plan their long-term storage strategy.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Customer Engagement & Modernization Strategy
- Lead high-level modernization, lifecycle, and refresh strategy conversations with Enterprise customers across the Midwest and Canada.
- Assess customer install base to identify modernization opportunities, software adoption gaps, and upcoming lifecycle events.
- Provide customers with clear architectural and financial guidance, including TCO comparisons, refresh options, consumption models, Keystone programs, and long-term SLA/upgrade pathways.
- Educate customers on Keystone and SLP offerings, including how subscription-based consumption supports continuous upgrades and simplified operations.
Field Partnership & Account Alignment
- Work diplomatically with Client Executives to support account strategy.
- Coach field teams on identifying refresh triggers, positioning modernization value, and navigating financial/technical option conversations.
Technical Leadership & Solution Development
- Develop modernization architectures, refresh roadmaps, and consumption-model recommendations aligned to customer SLAs and business objectives.
- Build reverse timelines and structured upgrade plans that help customers proactively prepare for lifecycle changes.
- Guide customers through the financial and technical implications of different modernization paths, including PS service options, evergreen upgrades, and subscriptions.
- Support the technical validation process (POCs, workshops, planning sessions) for modernization and consumption model decisions.
Pipeline Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Drive modernization pipeline by identifying opportunities within the existing install base and partnering with marketing, SE leadership, and regional sales teams.
- Contribute to RFPs/RFIs, proposals, and customer-facing materials that articulate modernization value, lifecycle strategy, and Keystone economics.
- Provide field insights to product and business teams to improve modernization tools, lifecycle visibility, and Keystone adoption programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 7+ years in a Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer, or customer-facing technical role.
- Strong understanding of enterprise storage architectures, lifecycle management, refresh planning – required.
- Ability to translate complex storage modernization options into clear financial and technical guidance, including TCO, CapEx vs OpEx models, SLAs, and upgrade pathways.
- Experience discussing consumption models such as Keystone and subscription licensing (SLP).
- Excellent presentation skills with the ability to communicate at the C-suite level, as well as with directors and administrators.
- Strong customer diplomacy, able to influence without owning the account and collaborate effectively with Client Executives and SEs.
- Demonstrated ability to coach field teams and partners on positioning value, differentiation, and modernization opportunities.
- Experience with lifecycle engineering, refresh planning, or install-base strategy.
- Background supporting modernization or consumption-model transitions in enterprise environments.
- Proven success building modernization roadmaps and facilitating long-term customer planning discussions.
Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is 230,350 - 298,100 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. The range is based on 'On Target Earnings’ (OTE) representing the total potential earnings, which is the sum of the base salary and potential commission earned when performance targets are achieved. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off, various Leave options, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s). These offerings are subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. We will provide detailed information about the specific benefits for your region during the recruitment process.
At NetApp, we embrace a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture for all employees. This means that most roles will have some level of in-office and/or in-person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, and any other protected classification.
Why NetApp?
We are all about helping customers turn challenges into business opportunity. It starts with bringing new thinking to age-old problems, like how to use data most effectively to run better - but also to innovate. We tailor our approach to the customer's unique needs with a combination of fresh thinking and proven approaches.
We enable a healthy work-life balance. Our volunteer time off program is best in class, offering employees 40 hours of paid time per year to volunteer with their favorite organizations. We provide comprehensive medical, dental, wellness, and vision plans for you and your family. We offer educational assistance, legal services, and access to discounts. Finally, we provide financial savings programs to help you plan for your future.
If you want to help us build knowledge and solve big problems, let's talk.
Submitting an application
To ensure a streamlined and fair hiring process for all candidates, our team only reviews applications submitted through our company website. This practice allows us to track, assess, and respond to applicants efficiently. Emailing our employees, recruiters, or Human Resources personnel directly will not influence your application.
Our values
Put the customer at the center. Care for each other and our communities. Think and act like owners. Build belonging every day. Embrace a growth mindset.
Benefits
Volunteer time off
40 hours of paid volunteer time each year.
Well-being
Employee Assistance Program, fitness, and mental health resources to help employees be their best.
Time away
Paid time off for vacation and to recharge.
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Equal Opportunity Employer*
NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status and any other protected classification. We pledge to take every reasonable step to ensure that our applicants and employees are respected, treated fairly and with dignity. See the EEO poster, Know your rights poster, and NetApp EEO policy. NetApp makes reasonable accommodations, consistent with applicable laws, for religious purposes and for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee with a disability, who can perform the essential job functions unless undue hardship would result.
State-specific postings/notices to applicants regarding contract compliance can be found here in English and here in Spanish, and fair employment practice information can be found here.
Reasonable Accommodations
At NetApp, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace where individuals with disabilities can thrive. In alignment with our values, NetApp provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments where possible to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, in accordance with employment rights and regulations relevant to their country of employment, to ensure equal access to employment opportunities and job performance.
Applicants who would like to request an accommodation or adjustment are encouraged to Contact Us. Each request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to equity and belonging within our culture, values and business practices. Requests will be handled confidentially and respectfully, and we will work collaboratively to identify effective solutions.
- For reasonable accommodations in Germany, click here.
- For reasonable accommodations in France, click here.
- For reasonable accommodations in The Netherlands, click here.
Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes to the above email address.
Data privacy
We care about your privacy and, therefore, ask that you read our Candidate Privacy Notice before you submit any personal information to us.
NetApp does not carry out any solely automated decision making (i.e. the process of making a decision by automated means without any human involvement) in determining your suitability or eligibility for specific roles.
However, the processing of your personal information is carried out with the aid of manual and automated tools. In particular, NetApp may use an automated employment evaluation tool or similar tool as one of several tools, actions, and/or steps to assist with NetApp’s review of candidate applications for various hiring needs. Currently, when addressing certain hiring needs, NetApp uses the Eightfold tool which can provide an initial ranking of a candidate’s skills and experience, based on information provided by the applicant in the application and/or supporting documentation, in comparison to the NetApp designated key requirements of a specific role. Additionally, the tool may be used to help review and/or rank internal employees seeking promotion or other internal mobility. However, our talent acquisition team or our recruiters will ultimately select the candidates for further consideration, following human review of any automated evaluation results and associated underlying documentation (or lack thereof) submitted with the candidates’ application.
An independent audit of the Eightfold Matching Model tool can be found at https://eightfold.ai/nyc-eightfoldmatching-model.
Candidates may request an alternative selection process which will not be subject to the Eightfold matching tool or to any electronic automated employment evaluation by contacting NetApp at careers@netapp.com. To bypass the Eightfold matching tool or any electronic automated employment evaluation, you must include a resume and job ID with your email to careers@netapp.com and you must include in the subject line of your email: Data Privacy Request. Candidates who have questions or want to request additional information on the source of data, type of data, and/or collection of data related to the candidate review process should contact NetApp at careers@netapp.com
Submitting an application
To ensure a streamlined and fair hiring process for all candidates, our team reviews applications submitted through our company website only. This practice allows us to track, assess, and respond to applicants efficiently. Emailing our employees, recruiters, or Human Resources personnel directly will not influence your application.