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
La Comunidad Cognizant:
Somos un equipo que se aprecia y apoya mutuamente. Nuestros asociados trabajan en un entorno colaborativo e integrador en el que todos pueden prosperar.
- Cognizant es una comunidad global con más de 300.000+ asociados en todo el mundo.
- No solo soñamos con un mundo mejor, sino que trabajamos para hacerlo realidad.
- Cuidamos de nuestros asociados, clientes, socios, comunidades y entorno haciendo lo correcto.
- Fomentamos un entorno innovador en el que puedes desarrollar tu carrera profesional.
Acerca de nosotros
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) es arquitecto de soluciones de IA y proveedor de servicios tecnológicos que traduce la inversión en inteligencia artificial en valor empresarial real mediante soluciones de IA de stack completo adaptadas a cada cliente. Su profundo conocimiento de la industria, los procesos y la ingeniería le permite integrar el contexto único de cada organización en sistemas tecnológicos que amplifican el potencial humano, generan un impacto real en el negocio y mantienen a las grandes empresas globales un paso adelante en un mundo en constante cambio. Para más información, visita www.cognizant.es o síguenos en @cognizant.
Cognizant es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Tu solicitud y candidatura no serán consideradas en base a raza, color, sexo, religión, credo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, discapacidad, información genética, embarazo, condición de veterano o cualquier otra característica protegida por las leyes federales, estatales o locales.
Advertencia:
La información sobre remuneración es exacta a la fecha de esta publicación. Cognizant se reserva el derecho a modificar esta información en cualquier momento, sujeto a la legislación aplicable.Es posible que los candidatos deban asistir a entrevistas en persona o por videoconferencia e, incluso, que tengan presentar su documento de identidad vigente, durante cada entrevista.