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Senior Network Hands & Feet Engineer (L2/L3 – Physical & Logical Support)

46941

Senior Network Hands & Feet Engineer (L2/L3 – Physical & Logical Support)

Location: Switzerland (Data Center / Enterprise Campus)
Experience Level: Senior (6–8+ years)
Employment Type: Full‑time

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Network Hands & Feet Engineer to provide advanced on‑site support for enterprise and data center network infrastructure. This role is responsible for the end‑to‑end physical deployment, cabling, validation, and first‑level logical verification of network devices and connectivity.

You will act as the primary on‑site escalation point for remote Network Engineering and NOC teams, ensuring that Layer 1 implementation aligns accurately with Layer 2 and Layer 3 configurations in highly available, mission‑critical environments.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Device Racking and Mounting

  • Interpret and execute Rack Elevation Diagrams (REDs) for high‑density network devices such as Cisco Nexus 9000, Catalyst 9500, firewalls, and load balancers.
  • Perform safe installation using appropriate rack rails, cage nuts, and stabilization kits, ensuring correct weight distribution and rack stability.
  • Connect and validate dual‑power supplies across redundant A/B PDUs, including pull tests and power sequencing checks.

Structured Cabling and Fiber Management

  • Handle Single‑Mode (SMF) and Multi‑Mode (MMF) fiber in accordance with data center best practices.
  • Clean and inspect fiber connectors using IBC cleaners and fiber inspection scopes.
  • Install and troubleshoot SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, and QSFP28 transceivers, validating wavelength compatibility and optical light levels.
  • Execute structured patching and labeling in line with ANSI/TIA‑606‑B standards, ensuring accurate near‑end and far‑end identification.

Patch Panels and Cross‑Connects

  • Coordinate with data center and telecom providers to extend circuits from Meet‑Me Rooms (MMR) to local racks.
  • Terminate and manage copper (RJ45) and fiber (LC, SC, MPO) patch panels.
  • Perform fiber tracing and continuity checks using Visual Fault Locators (VFL).
  • Support media transitions using media converters or mixed‑media transceivers where required.

Remote Management and Console Access

  • Deploy and cable Out‑of‑Band (OOB) management solutions (e.g. Opengear, Lantronix, Cisco ISR).
  • Troubleshoot serial connectivity issues including baud rate mismatches, rollover cables, and DB9‑to‑RJ45 adapters.
  • Provide local laptop and serial access during incidents to support live troubleshooting, boot monitoring, and BIOS‑level diagnostics.

Routing and Switching Fundamentals

  • Layer 1: Strong hands‑on experience with Ethernet, fiber cabling, transceivers, power supplies, HA ports, and high‑speed links (10G / 20G / 40G), with exposure to DWDM environments.
  • Layer 2: Support VLANs, VTP, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), port mirroring, and packet captures. Identify and mitigate physical loops or broadcast storms.
  • Layer 3: Assist with Layer 3 interface bring‑up (SVIs and routed ports), basic IP addressing, and gateway connectivity validation.
  • Protocol Verification: Validate BGP and OSPF neighbor adjacencies following circuit hand‑offs or cross‑connect installations.
  • EtherChannel / LACP: Provision and troubleshoot Link Aggregation Groups, ensuring physical cabling aligns with logical configurations.

Required Experience and Skills

Experience

  • 6–8 years of experience in data center or large enterprise campus network environments.
  • Hands‑on experience installing and supporting Cisco, Arista, Palo Alto, and F5 network platforms.
  • Experience supporting mission‑critical network incidents in enterprise or data center environments.
  • Basic German

Technical Skills

  • Ethernet and fiber cabling (SMF / MMF)
  • Transceivers and modules: SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, QSFP28, PIC, NIM, DPC
  • Network operating systems: Cisco IOS, NX‑OS, Arista EOS, PAN‑OS
  • Network tools: Visual Fault Locators, Light Meters, Fiber Inspection Scopes

Certifications

  • CCNA or equivalent (mandatory)
  • CCNP Enterprise (ENCORE) preferred

What We Offer

· Health Insurance Allowance for peace of mind

· Annual Performance Bonus to reward your impact

· Permanent Employment Contract for long-term stability

· Relocation Support for candidates moving from abroad

· A collaborative, international work culture with opportunities for continuous learning and growth

What we offer

  • The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
  • Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
  • The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
  • Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
  • True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.  

About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.