Solutions Engineer - Cloud & AI Infrastructure

Solutions Engineer - Cloud & AI Infrastructure

Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Cisco Systems Inc

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive adoption of Cisco's cloud and AI infrastructure solutions while partnering with customers.
  • Company: Join Cisco, a leader in innovative technology and infrastructure solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative team environment with limitless opportunities for personal and career development.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of tech innovation and make a real impact in the AI era.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in technical presales or solutions engineering with strong infrastructure knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

We are seeking a Solutions Engineer – Cloud + AI Infrastructure to join our sales team in the UK&I. In this role you will help drive the adoption of Cisco's data center, cloud, and AI‑ready infrastructure solutions across industries. You will partner with customers to understand their modernization goals, support the design of tailored platform architectures, and demonstrate how Cisco's compute, networking, and cloud‑native technologies accelerate their business. You’ll bring strong infrastructure foundations and a drive to become a trusted technical advisor to customers. You should be comfortable translating technical concepts for diverse audiences and public speaking.

The Cloud + AI Infrastructure team delivers one scalable strategy with local execution for data center transformation and growth. We are the worldwide go‑to‑market compute and data center networking engine — capturing market transitions and enabling sellers to expand growth for customers and Cisco. Alongside our colleagues, we build the sales strategy, activate sellers and technical communities, and accelerate selling.

You build awareness, foster education, and drive energy for platform modernization, cloud‑native infrastructure, and AI‑ready data centers with internal teams, partners, and customers. You act as the link between technical teams, account teams, and partners/customers. You showcase infrastructure solutions, articulate their value, and contribute to architectural discussions. You play a key role in the design, and promotion of modernization solutions and in solving customer challenges. Travel may be required for customer meetings and industry events.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 3+ years of technical presales, solutions engineering, or relevant hands‑on infrastructure experience across compute, storage, and data center networking.
  • Hands‑on experience with virtualization and platform modernization (e.g., VMware/VCF, RedHat OpenShift, Nutanix, KVM, hypervisor migration strategies).
  • Familiarity with enterprise storage concepts and platforms (e.g., NVMe, NFS, object storage; NetApp, Everpure, or comparable).
  • Solid understanding of data center networking fundamentals (L2/L3, VXLAN/EVPN, fabric design) and how compute, storage, and network integrate.
  • Foundational understanding of Kubernetes and cloud‑native infrastructure— core concepts, deployment models, and how containerized workloads are managed.
  • Proficiency with infrastructure automation and scripting (e.g., Python, Ansible, Terraform) and version control (Git/GitHub).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree is a plus.
  • Excellent presentation skills with the ability to deliver engaging workshops to both technical and non‑technical audiences on infrastructure and modernization topics.
  • Experience with the Cisco data center portfolio (UCS, Nexus/ACI, Intersight, HyperFabric) or comparable competitive platforms.
  • Exposure to cloud‑native networking and eBPF technologies (e.g., Cilium/Isovalent), GitOps workflows (ArgoCD/Flux), Helm, and service mesh.
  • Familiarity with AI‑ready infrastructure: GPU compute, high‑performance fabrics (RoCE/InfiniBand), AI/ML reference architectures (e.g., Cisco + NVIDIA), and storage for AI workloads.
  • Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CCNP/CCIE Data Center, VMware VCP, CKA/CKAD, or major cloud associate/professional certs).
  • Familiarity with data center observability and monitoring tooling (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ThousandEyes, Splunk).
  • Understanding of infrastructure security and zero‑trust principles in data center / cloud‑native environments (segmentation, workload identity, policy enforcement).

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Solutions Engineer - Cloud & AI Infrastructure employer: Cisco Systems Inc

Cisco is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to drive meaningful change in the AI and cloud infrastructure landscape. With a strong focus on professional development, employees have access to extensive growth opportunities and resources, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technology. Located in the UK&I, Cisco offers a dynamic environment where your contributions can make a global impact, supported by a team that values empathy and teamwork.

Cisco Systems Inc

Contact Details:

Cisco Systems Inc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Solutions Engineer - Cloud & AI Infrastructure

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 Cisco Systems Inc 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 Cisco Systems Inc 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 Cisco Systems Inc!

Direct Apply to Cisco Systems Inc

Let's not forget to apply directly through the Cisco Systems Inc 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 Solutions Engineer - Cloud & AI Infrastructure

Technical Presales
Solutions Engineering
Infrastructure Experience
Virtualization
Platform Modernization
Enterprise Storage Concepts
Data Center Networking Fundamentals

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 Cisco Systems Inc.

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 Cisco Systems Inc. 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 Cisco Systems Inc

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.