Solutions Architect

Welcome to Zesty, a dynamic startup at the forefront of cloud optimization innovation

Zesty's Mission

Zesty is a startup company specializing in automated optimization solutions, aiming to help organizations reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency. The company offers a range of products designed for DevOps and FinOps teams responsible for managing cloud usage within organizations.

Position Overview 

As a Senior Solutions Architect, you will partner closely with the Strategic Account Manager to deliver high-impact technical demonstrations, guide customers through real-world use cases, and communicate the value of Zesty's platform. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will leverage your technical expertise to support enterprise customers, address complex technical questions, and ensure best-practice adoption of Zesty's solutions.

This role sits at the intersection of deep technical knowledge, strong communication skills, and strategic customer engagement, with a direct influence on closing deals and driving revenue growth.

THIS IS A HYBRID ROLE FOR 3 DAYS (TUES, WEDNESDAY & THURS) IN OUR SAN MATEO OFFICE.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Sales Technical Leadership

• Lead technical discovery sessions with data engineers, DBAs, system architects, DevOps teams, and other technical stakeholders across enterprise organizations.
• Conduct, manage, and successfully close technical demos, PoVs, and proof-of-concept engagements—serving both as SME and project lead.
• Translate customer challenges into tailored technical solutions that highlight the value and ROI of Zesty's platform.

Technical Expertise & Advisory

• Act as a subject matter expert on platform best practices, architecture, and feature capabilities.
• Answer technical inquiries, including RFPs and formal security/integration questionnaires.
• Demonstrate new products and features, driving adoption and ensuring technical alignment with customer environments.

Internal Enablement & Collaboration

• Enable sales and channel partners with training on product features, data concepts, competitive landscape, and technical positioning.
• Formats may include presentations, documentation, video walkthroughs, workshops, and 1:1 coaching.
• Collaborate closely with Product, R&D, Customer Success, and Support to ensure our offerings meet customer needs and inform roadmap priorities.

Sales Impact

• Partner with sales teams to support enterprise evaluations and help advance opportunities through the funnel.
• Influence deal strategy by articulating value, mitigating technical risks, and helping customers build confidence in Zesty as a long-term partner.
• Contribute directly to revenue growth across both new and existing accounts.

Professional Experience

• 7+ years experience supporting technical products in customer-facing roles.
• 3+ years in enterprise-facing positions such as Solution Architect, Pre-Sales Engineer, Consultant, or similar.
• Strong track record engaging both technical stakeholders and executive sponsors.

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in Linux system administration across multiple distributions (Ubuntu, Red Hat, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of AWS—especially EC2, EKS, EBS, and core networking (VPCs, routing, subnets, SGs).
• Strong understanding of Kubernetes architecture, including scheduling, scaling (Cluster Autoscaler, Karpenter, HPA/VPA), and cost optimization.
• Experience with SaaS environments and modern cloud-native infrastructure.
• Proficiency with IaC tools such as Terraform, Helm, or CloudFormation, plus experience automating deployments for AWS/Kubernetes.
• Advantage: Experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).

Soft Skills

• Ability to align technical requirements with business objectives for both technical buyers and executive decision-makers.
• Strong communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent technical projects in enterprise environments.

Other

• Willingness to travel (client meetings, trade shows, etc.).

Compensation

At Zesty, base salary is one component of our total compensation range: $180,000 – $210,000, including base + commission.

Compensation is determined by experience, skills, and qualifications.

This role also includes:

• Equity package (options)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and additional benefits
• Eligibility for discretionary bonuses or commissions

Location

• Position based in the Bay Area.
• Required on-site at our San Mateo office Tuesday–Thursday.
• Must be relocated before start date—no relocation sponsorship available.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available.

Why is it exciting being a Zester- 

At Zesty, we're a team of driven, forward-thinkers passionate about pushing the boundaries of cloud optimization. Our culture encourages creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace challenges.

We care about: 

• Diversity & Inclusion - Be yourself We welcome employees from all backgrounds and have created a workplace where everyone can feel empowered.
• Transparency - Transparency: We share our success stories, failures, processes, numbers, and everything in between. If you want to know something that wasn't shared with you – just ask
• One Team- We genuinely trust each other which enables us to act as one team working together toward the same mission. All team members are equally important
• Open Communication & Feedback -When facing challenges, we always look for fresh ideas and ways to overcome them and We embrace constructive feedback that can and should be given to anyone
• Ego is out at the door - Ego obscures and disrupts everything: the planning process, the ability to take good advice, and the ability to accept constructive feedback. We operate with a high degree of humility.