# Farouq Taj

> Pre-Sales | Managed Services | Security | Networks |

Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Profile: https://flows.cv/farouq

I am a Solutions Engineer designing architectures that are based on understanding what outcomes the customer needs from their network.

I work closely with the Sales, Provisioning and Operational support functions to design solutions ranging from global WANs to multi-tower architectures for Enterprise customers.

I use my experience and knowledge to identify the gaps between the built-in capabilities of standard services offered by the Service Provider and what is required to adapt these to meet the needs of enterprise customers. I then obtain approval from appropriate business functions for these amendments, with persistence, to ensure all cost components are identified and built into the commercial model.

I have an open and friendly presentation style that gives clients the confidence that their specific concerns and needs have been considered in the design. Furthermore I work conscientiously to ensure the provisioning and in-life operational support challenges have been addressed from the outset as an integral part of solution design.

## Work Experience
### Solution Engineer @ Colt Technology Services
Jan 2023 – Present | London, England, United Kingdom
The former EMEA division of Lumen is now part of Colt communications

### Solution Engineer @ Lumen Technologies
Jan 2020 – Jan 2023 | London, England, United Kingdom
Designing architectures that are based on understanding what outcomes the customer needs from their network.

Designs include MPLS IPVPN, Internet, Cloud Connectivity and SD-WAN architectures.

For SD-WAN designs I follow the MEF standards based architecture and currently hold an SD-WAN Certified Professional certification (MEF SDCP).

### Sales Engineer @ Level 3 Communications
Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 | London, United Kingdom
Providing quality pre-sales technical support to the Level3 sales organisation. Responsible for selling services and retaining revenue by providing technical customer support to new and assigned accounts.
 
Interacting with customers to execute the technical aspects of the sales strategy by developing appropriate solutions and building technical relationships. Helping quantify and qualify opportunities, resolve technical issues arising during the sales engagement, help clients define specifications and requirements, develops solutions, and provides technology presentations to both technical and management-level audiences.

### Solutions Architect @ Vodafone
Jan 2013 – Jan 2017 | Newbury, UK
Successfully designed global solutions for multinational client RFPs

Coordinated effectively with virtual teams across NAM, EMEA, India and APAC regions in the initial design and subsequent handover to delivery 

Developed comprehensive bespoke solutions including consideration of operational support processes, SLA regimes and other lifecycle processes    

Proactively participated in reviewing business processes to improve efficiency

### Sales Engineer @ Level 3 Communications
Jan 2011 – Jan 2013
Providing Sales Engineering support in the roll-out of a new large project win. The customer has over 100,000 employees delivering mission-critical services to government and private clients in over 30 countries. Directly involved in SIP based voice services over MPLS WAN connected sites.

### Pre Sales Consultant @ Orange Business Services
Jan 2000 – Jan 2011
I work in the new business team with the principle responsibility of designing the network architecture in our bid responses and subsequently presenting the solution to key decision makers within the prospective customer’s organisation.

### Network Specialist @ Anixter International
Jan 1999 – Jan 2000
Providing pre-sales support for Europe focusing on wired and wireless networks.Designing network solutions including parts list for order placement, tender evaluation and responses, assessing feasibility of proposed solutions, performing competitive analysis against alternative vendors and arranging vendor assistance with tender responses where appropriate

### Software Engineer @ Alcatel Networks
Jan 1997 – Jan 1999
Developing and testing real time datacomms software in MPW Pascal and Motorola assembler for the Mainstreet 3612, 36125 and 3660 multiplexers

### Software Development @ Nortel Technology
Jan 1993 – Jan 1997
Real time telecommunications development for the Nortel DMS100 voice switch.


## Education
### Bsc (Hons) in Computer Science
University of Hertfordshire

### A Levels in Maths, Chemistry, Physics
Burnley College of Arts & Technology

### GCSE and CSE
Towneley high school, Burnley, Lancashire


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/farouqtaj

---
Source: https://flows.cv/farouq
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/farouq/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-05