Solutions Architect

SmartLayer Business Solutions ( is an independently-run computing and technology consulting company, which provides customized and high-quality services. We bring advanced technology solutions to small-to-medium sized enterprises. We offer IT consulting, managed services, asset management, system design and installation, custom software and web development services, and training and user support services. Job Description: We’re hiring a Solutions Architectwho can own technical direction across complex environments, design end-to-end solutions, and lead delivery teams to high-quality outcomes. This is a senior role with significant autonomy and accountability, combining architecture, delivery leadership, and technical mentorship. What you’ll do: Own architecture and technical direction across client environments: on-prem datacenters, hybrid cloud, networking, virtualization, storage, backup/DR, and security. Lead discovery and assessments: current-state analysis, risk identification, capacity reviews, and modernization roadmaps. Design and deliver solutions spanning: Datacenter compute/storage/network stacks (racks, power/UPS, redundancy, cabling standards, monitoring) Storage and SAN/iSCSI design (multipathing, performance baselining, zoning concepts where applicable, iSCSI best practices, throughput/IOPS considerations) Backup/DR architecture (Veeam or equivalent; immutable repositories, offsite replication, recovery validation, DR testing) Hybrid identity and Microsoft 365 architecture (Entra ID, Conditional Access patterns, governance) Produce high-quality technical deliverables: HLD/LLD, diagrams, standards, runbooks, implementation plans, and as-built documentation. Lead complex projects end-to-end with delivery teams (Calgary + offshore): planning, task breakdown, change control, risk management, validation, and handover. Act as an escalation point for high-severity issues; drive root cause analysis and long-term remediation, including preventative controls and standardization. Establish and improve reference architectures and standards (VMware, storage, backup/DR, segmentation, firewall standards, monitoring/alerting). Support pre-sales: solutioning, technical scoping, statement-of-work input, assumptions/risks, and high-level estimates. Participate in after-hours work as needed for planned changes, migrations, and critical incidents. Primary Qualifications: 10+ years progressive IT experience with meaningful architecture/design responsibility. Proven experience designing, deploying, and troubleshooting complex infrastructure, including: VMware vSphere: clusters, HA/DRS, vCenter, templates, lifecycle/patching, performance troubleshooting Storage / SAN / iSCSI: LUN design, iSCSI networking concepts, MPIO/multipathing, performance and latency troubleshooting Networking: routing/switching fundamentals, VLAN segmentation, VPNs, core troubleshooting Firewalls/security appliances: Palo Alto, Fortinet (or equivalent); policy/NAT concepts, site-to-site and remote access VPN Backup/DR: Veeam (or equivalent); immutable backups, offsite copies, restore testing, RPO/RTO planning Microsoft 365 / Entra ID: identity, MFA, conditional access concepts, tenant administration and governance patterns Strong documentation and communication skills: you can translate business outcomes into technical designs and guide stakeholders through decisions. Strong judgment, ownership, and ability to operate under pressure without compromising quality. Valid Class 5 driver’s license (client-site visits required). Nice-to-have (strong assets): Azure architecture and hybrid networking patterns Advanced networking (BGP/OSPF, SD-WAN concepts, multi-site routing patterns) Monitoring/observability platforms and operational maturity frameworks Security frameworks and hardening standards (CIS, NIST-aligned controls) What we value: High ownership, calm under pressure, excellent judgment, and a strong bias for secure, maintainable, well-documented solutions that stand up in real operations. #J-18808-Ljbffr