ROLE SUMMARY
The Network Patching Tower Lead (Onshore) is the primary network interface to client NetOps/L2/L3 during Canada hours. This role owns IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS firmware patching and security upgrades across a 147,000+ device estate — spanning Cisco core routers, campus and data center switches, Juniper devices, and F5 load balancers. Zero-tolerance for unplanned outages during change windows drives the need for expert-level Cisco expertise and deep understanding of network redundancy patterns.
ROLE IN THE OPERATING MODEL
▸ Tower/pod lead and SME for Network patching — primary network interface to client NetOps/L2/L3 during Canada hours and weekend windows
▸ Coordinates change windows with the NOC and client NetOps; owns Network tower compliance reporting
▸ Operates as network execution layer under client direction; network architecture/design changes remain client L2/L3 owned
▸ Directs offshore network SMEs during onshore hours; manages escalation within agreed SLTs
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
▸ Plan and execute IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS firmware upgrades and security patches for Cisco, plus Juniper Junos and F5 TMOS devices
▸ Design patching sequences leveraging redundancy — HSRP/VRRP failovers, VSS/StackWise rolling upgrades, NSF/SSO capabilities
▸ Take pre-change configuration backups (TFTP/SCP), perform staged upgrades (core → distribution → access), and validate redundancy/failover post-change
▸ Coordinate maintenance windows with the NOC and client NetOps; align to golden-config standards
▸ Maintain device EOL/EOS tracking and compliance posture; update CMDB and asset records
▸ Perform RCA for failed upgrades; execute rollback; escalate to L2/L3 NetEng and vendor (via client) as needed
▸ Track Cisco PSIRT security advisories and Field Notices; prioritise CVE-driven firmware upgrades within wave cycles
▸ Own Network tower compliance reporting; present KPIs to the Patch Service Lead for governance reviews
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCOPE
▸ Execute IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS firmware upgrades and Cisco security patches; Juniper Junos and F5 TMOS upgrades
▸ Design redundancy-aware patching sequences — HSRP/VRRP failover, VSS/StackWise rolling, NSF/SSO validation
▸ Take config backups (TFTP/SCP); perform staged upgrades (core → distribution → access)
▸ Validate redundancy, routing protocol convergence, and spanning tree stability post-change
▸ Maintain EOL/EOS tracking; update CMDB device firmware levels; close vulnerability tickets
▸ Author RFC/CAB documentation; coordinate maintenance window scheduling with NOC and NetOps
▸ Track Cisco PSIRT and Field Notices; plan CVE-driven upgrade waves
SKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIES
Primary Skills
Network Platforms | Cisco IOS/IOS-XE · Cisco NX-OS (Nexus) · Cisco ASA/FTD · Juniper Junos · F5 TMOS |
Protocols | BGP · OSPF · EIGRP · STP/RSTP/MSTP · HSRP/VRRP · VSS/StackWise · MPLS/VPN |
Patching Tools | Cisco DNA Center · Cisco Prime · TFTP/SCP image transfer · Kron/EEM scheduler · Ansible (network modules) |
Automation | Ansible (ios_command/nxos_command) · Python (Netmiko/Napalm) · NETCONF/RESTCONF · RANCID/Oxidized |
ITSM & Vuln | ServiceNow (Change/CMDB) · BMC Network Discovery · Tenable/Qualys · RFC/CAB · KEDB |
Secondary Skills
▸ Firewall and load-balancer patching — Cisco ASA/FTD upgrade, F5 TMOS upgrade procedures
▸ SD-WAN awareness and Cisco DevNet automation
▸ Splunk/Dynatrace for network event correlation
CERTIFICATIONS
Mandatory
▸ CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Data Centre (mandatory)
▸ ITIL 4 Foundation
Preferred (one or more)
▸ CCIE Enterprise or CCIE Data Centre — strong plus
▸ Juniper JNCIP/JNCIA-Junos
▸ F5 Certified Administrator (F5-CA / 201) for load-balancer estate
▸ Cisco DevNet Associate (network automation) — advantageous
NICE TO HAVE
▸ Experience patching large Cisco estates (50,000+ devices)
▸ Cisco DNA Centre and SD-Access operational familiarity
▸ Firewall policy-aware patching — ASA/FTD upgrade experience with rule-set validation
WORK MODEL & COMMITMENT
Hours | Canada business hours + weekend change window coverage |
Shift Model | Hybrid onshore; scheduled network maintenance windows |
On-Call | Yes — emergency network firmware events and routing outage escalations |
Language | English (mandatory) |
Compensation: We are offering between $60,000 – $85,000. Applications will be accepted until Aug 21, 2026.Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
关于高知特 (Cognizant)
高知特(Cognizant)（纳斯达克代码：CTSH）作为一家AI Builder和相关技术服务提供商，致力于通过打造全栈AI解决方案，帮助企业将人工智能投资转化为实际价值。公司凭借深厚的行业经验、流程优化和工程技术专长，将企业独特的业务场景融入科技系统，赋能组织释放人才潜能，推动切实成果，并帮助全球企业在瞬息万变的环境中保持领先。如需了解更多详情，敬请访问 cognizant.ai 或关注@cognizant。
补充雇佣信息
薪酬信息截至本职位发布之日为准。Cognizant 保留在适用法律允许的范围内随时修改该信息的权利。
申请人可能需要通过现场面试或视频会议的方式参加面试。此外，候选人在每次面试时可能需要出示其当前所在州或政府签发的有效身份证件。
Cognizant 是一家提供平等就业机会的雇主。在招聘过程中，您的申请和候选资格不会因种族、肤色、性别、宗教、信仰、性取向、性别认同、国籍、残疾、遗传信息、怀孕、退伍军人身份或任何其他受联邦、州或地方法律保护的特征而受到影响。
