Presales Lead- Data Center

About Gruve
Gruve is an innovative software services startup dedicated to transforming enterprises to AI powerhouses. We specialize in cybersecurity, customer experience, cloud infrastructure, and advanced technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs). Our mission is to assist our customers in their business strategies utilizing their data to make more intelligent decisions. As a well-funded early-stage startup, Gruve offers a dynamic environment with strong customer and partner networks.

Position Summary
The Data Center Presales lead plays a key role in assisting the sales team by providing technical expertise and insights into cybersecurity solutions and services during the pre-sales process. This role requires a deep knowledge of Data Center & AI Infrastructure and next generation networking solutions, excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with clients through technical consultancy and advisory.

You will closely work with client DC/Infrastructure heads, CIO's to assess their DC & AI infrastructure designs and services and articulate the value of the company's products and services to drive successful sales outcomes.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Engage with customers and prospects to understand their business requirements, technical challenges, and strategic goals, with a focus on data center modernization and AI adoption.
• Lead the design and architecture of comprehensive data center and AI solutions, translating customer needs into detailed technical specifications.
• Serve as the primary technical consultant for the sales team, providing expert guidance on solutions spanning compute, networking, and storage.
• Create and deliver compelling technical presentations, solution overviews, and product demonstrations to both technical and C-level audiences.
• Develop detailed proposals, Bill of Materials (BOMs), and Statements of Work (SOWs) for proposed solutions.
• Act as a technical liaison between the customer and our engineering teams, ensuring a seamless handover from presales to implementation.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends related to data center, cloud, and artificial intelligence.
• Work on RFP/RFI response and leverage expertise to add differentiators in RFPs, ensure technical accuracy, relevance & compliance.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: A minimum of 8 years in presales, solutions architect, or consulting role, with a strong focus on data center and HPC technologies.

• Core Expertise: In-depth knowledge of multi-vendor Data Center solutions, including:

• Networking: Cisco Nexus and NX-OS, Arista switches and EOS/CloudVision, or other leading data center networking platforms.

• Compute: Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), Dell PowerEdge servers, Supermicro servers (including specialized GPU platforms), and other server technologies.

• Management/Orchestration: Experience with Cisco Nexus Dashboard (NDFC, NDO), Arista CloudVision, or similar orchestration tools.

• AI/HPC Infrastructure & Cloud-Native: Proven experience or conceptual knowledge in designing infrastructure for AI/ML and containerized workloads, including:

• AI/HPC Compute: Nvidia GPU platforms (e.g., DGX systems, A100/H100), CUDA, and related software stacks.

• Containers: Red Hat OpenShift or other Kubernetes platforms.

• Ability to perform HPC benchmarking, ML perf training & understanding of AI frameworks

• Ecosystem Knowledge: Expertise in integrating solutions with third-party ecosystem products, particularly:

• Storage: VAST Data, NetApp, Pure Storage, or other high-performance storage solutions.

• Soft Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proven ability to deliver impactful presentations and technical demonstrations.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Experience collaborating with sales teams and customers to achieve business outcomes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, or related
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in a data center presales, consulting or technical advisor role.
• Relevant certifications (such as CCIE & CCNP Datae Center, VCP, JNCIE, Arista ACE) are a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding and hands-on of Next gen Data Center Networking, AI Infrastructure, GPU, HPC solutions
• Strong understanding of AI frameworks, neo cloud, AI workload platform designs, GPUs and architectural understanding of agentic AI platform
• Experience with Data Center OEMs and products (e.g., Cisco Nexus, ACI, NDFC, NDO, Arista cloud vision, Nvidia Infiniban, SONIC OS etc..)
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor.

Why Gruve
At Gruve, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work. If you're passionate about technology and eager to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Gruve is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and thank all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.