At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to transform enterprise networking with hands-on technical solutions and customer success.
- Company: Alkira, a Lumen company, is revolutionising enterprise networking with innovative cloud solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities to travel and collaborate with top-tier clients.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of networking technology and make a real impact on global businesses.
- Qualifications: Experience in cloud solutions, networking, and a passion for customer success.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Alkira is growing our Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) team and looking for high-energy, dedicated professionals who can help new and existing clients succeed on our Network-Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform. FDEs are hands-on technologists who embed directly with our largest strategic Enterprise accounts — from pre-sales technical validation through production deployment, adoption, and expansion.
The ideal candidate can demonstrate the key technical differentiators of the Alkira service, architect and build alongside customer teams, and help enterprises transform their network to become disruptive, creative, and innovative. As an FDE, you sit at the intersection of Sales, Engineering, and the customer: you win technical evaluations, deploy real solutions in customer environments, and shape the product roadmap with a deep understanding of customer technical needs.
Location: Candidates located at UK or Netherlands regions will be highly considered.
Responsibilities
- Embed with strategic customers as the hands-on technical owner from evaluation through production deployment
- Lead network architecture discussions with customers and partners
- Design, build, and deploy Alkira-based solutions in customer environments using best practices
- Develop automation, integrations, and tooling (Terraform, APIs, scripting) to accelerate customer deployments
- Collaborate directly with customer networking, cloud, and platform teams
- Conduct technical workshops, trainings, and whiteboard sessions for customers and partners
- Create design and architecture best practices, reference architectures, and deployment guidelines
- Provide deep technical support and troubleshooting for customers, escalating and driving resolution with Engineering
- Own customer success on key accounts from adoption and expansion perspective
- Work with Alkira Product Management and Engineering to provide feedback on upcoming features from the customer's lens
- Track and drive key customer features/asks with Product Management through to implementation
Minimum Requirements
- Strong cloud and networking fundamentals
- 3+ years in a customer-facing technical role (consulting, solutions architecture, sales engineering, or professional services)
- 1+ years of hands-on experience architecting and deploying cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP, and/or OCI)
- Hands-on experience designing and building hybrid and public cloud infrastructure
- Strong networking background in routing technologies and network security
- Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code and automation tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Python, REST APIs)
- Experience in large-scale network design/deployment is a plus
- Strong passion for customer outcomes and creating long-lasting professional relationships
- Flexibility to travel to customer sites
- Relevant technical certifications are a plus
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- BA/BS/MS degree is a plus
ABOUT ALKIRA
Alkira, a Lumen company, is building the future of enterprise networking: one programmable platform to connect, secure, and operate every cloud, site, partner, data center, and AI workload. Founded by Amir and Atif Khan, the creators of Viptela and pioneers of the SD-WAN market, Alkira was built to radically simplify how enterprises deploy and manage network infrastructure. Today, as part of Lumen, we are bringing that cloud-native operating model to a global network foundation trusted by the world’s largest enterprises.
Our platform helps customers move faster without managing hardware, stitching together providers, or operating fragmented cloud networks. Teams can build and scale connectivity on demand, apply consistent security and segmentation, and gain visibility across distributed environments from one place. At Alkira, you’ll help shape the next chapter of networking: cloud-like consumption, private-network performance, and total control across the enterprise. We move fast, solve hard problems, and build technology that changes how global businesses connect. Join us and help build the future of networking.
Forward Deployed Engineer (EMEA) employer: Alkira
Alkira is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where Forward Deployed Engineers play a crucial role in transforming enterprise networking for clients across the UK and Netherlands. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, Alkira offers opportunities to engage directly with strategic customers, develop cutting-edge solutions, and collaborate with talented teams, all while being part of a pioneering company that is reshaping the future of network infrastructure. Join us to be at the forefront of technology, where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on our clients' success and the industry as a whole.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer (EMEA)
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Alkira values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Alkira might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Alkira!
✨Direct Apply to Alkira
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Alkira website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed Engineer (EMEA)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Alkira.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Alkira. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alkira
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
