Future Opportunities Data Centre Consulting Systems Engineer, Unified Computing System (UCS) -- Toronto, Canada

In anticipation of hiring a Data Centre Consulting Systems Engineer, UCS in Toronto, I'm sharing details on a position we would like to hire:

Cisco is delivering on the promise of virtualization through Unified Computing - an architecture that bridges the silos in the data center into one unified architecture using industry standard technologies. Key to Cisco's approach is the Cisco Unified Computing System which unites compute, network, storage access, and virtualization resources in a single energy efficient system that can reduce IT infrastructure costs and complexity, help extend capital assets and improve business agility well into the future. We are looking for qualified technical individuals to support
This role is with the Canadian Solutions Data Centre Consulting Systems Engineering (CSE) Team focusing on presales engineering activities, leveraging Cisco's products, solutions and architectures in the area of Data Centre with focus on Unified Computing Systems. The CSE must work closely with the Canadian Account Managers, Systems Engineering Managers, Systems Engineers and Regional Managers as well as Product Sales Specialists to drive business and help build Data Centre practices in Canada with focus on the Unified Computing System (UCS).
In this position, you will be working with DC technology experts to help them position Data Center Virtualization and Systems Architecture solutions effectively against competing offerings.

Primary responsibilities:
The Data Centre UCS CSE plays a crucial role in the success of Cisco's strategy in this market segment. The Data Centre CSE should effectively articulate Cisco's Vision and Strategy of Consolidation, Virtualization and Automation within a Unified Computing System framework.
The CSEs also play a critical role in leadership and development of the other team members in their area. This includes mentoring SE's and performing regular training sessions to the SE and Sales community. They also build a close working relationship cross-functionally with other Cisco organizations in order to provide a bidirectional flow of information concerning product and feature requirements, outbound marketing, partner and ecosystem education and collateral
The CSEs also participate in the continued effort to develop and revamp specialization training for the ASSET organization and provide guidance and direction for the DC VT.
The Data Centre CSE also posses industry knowledge of market trends and directional awareness of Cisco's product and technology development efforts. They will work with partners in a joint sales strategy and will mentor partner engineers
The role calls for in-depth knowledge of competitive UCS products. The CSE has both a high level of technical and sales competency. They can articulate the value of a proposed system or solution at an executive level positioning the business benefits of a Cisco solution
Other responsibilities include:
Technical lead to design, migrate, deploy and support new data center technologies
• Establish credibility and capability regarding configuration and deployment of UCS as part of a world class datacenter environment
• Define technical configuration and best practices to optimize Cisco technology in a modern datacenter environment
• Identify and support new UCS opportunities. Participate in developing and delivering strategic initiatives through prioritization and development of key activities, assist tools and technical implementation programs
• Develop and present best practices, technical concepts and technologies for innovative computing solutions
• Utilize subject matter expertise in area of enterprise applications, solutions and data center infrastructures to evaluate complex, sensitive business problems and build data center solutions
• Articulate the technical merits and value of data center virtualization to Cisco clients.

Consulting skills required:
• Strong customer-interaction skills and ability to quickly create excitement with data center personnel, establish credibility and work collaboratively with technical professionals
• Strong written, verbal and white board skills
• Proven experience in a technical consulting capacity in a Server/Virtualization environment

Technical Skills desired:

Deep understanding of Server/Computer Architecture (x86 mandatory, midrange and mainframe also desirable) virtualization platforms such as VMware
Knowledge in Data Center (overall industry/vendors, technology, organizational structure), Application Networking (L4-7) and or Application Security, Routing & Switching, Networking Platform Design
Good understanding of Enterprise Web Application Product/Design
Proactively share information about common replicable architectures that are most appropriate for assigned customers
Understanding of virtualization tools and concepts (VMware, XEN, Hyper-V, understanding of Platespin, etc.)

Knowledge of multi-tiered including their design, implementation, and capacity/scaling challenges (Oracle Fusion, SAP, Websphere, Exchange, Active Directory etc.) Sybase, SQL Oracle RAC is desired

Experience in Microsoft operating systems, is required.
Experience with the Linux (RHEL / Suse) and / or with other Unix-based operating systems helpful.

Fundamental knowledge and data center experience with SAN, Server technologies operations.

Multiple platform knowledge and experience with interoperability and utility/grid computing concepts

Performance Tuning of Operating Systems, Applications, Databases, Storage, and Networking helpful.

Working knowledge of high availability and continuity from business and technology and business process perspective, experience defining RPO/RTO expectations

Understanding procedures and practices Data replication technologies.