Network Patching SME

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

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

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*

Sobre a Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) é uma construtora de IA e fornecedora de serviços de tecnologia, criando a ponte entre o investimento em IA e o valor para as empresas por meio do desenvolvimento de soluções de IA completas para nossos clientes. Nossa profunda experiência em setores, processos e engenharia nos permite incorporar o contexto único de cada organização em sistemas tecnológicos que potencializam a capacidade humana, geram resultados tangíveis e mantêm empresas globais à frente em um mundo em rápida transformação. Saiba mais em cognizant.ai ou @cognizant.

A Cognizant é uma empregadora que investe em equidade. Sua candidatura não será pautada em raça, cor, gênero, sexualidade, credo, origem, deficiência, gravidez ou qualquer outra característica protegida pelas leis brasileiras.

Informações adicionais de emprego 
Os candidatos podem ser obrigados a comparecer a entrevistas presenciais ou por videoconferência. Além disso, os candidatos podem ser obrigados a apresentar seu documento de identificação emitido pelo estado ou governo atual durante cada entrevista. 

Embora nosso sistema permita a candidatura em todos os idiomas, o(s) idioma(s) e o(s) nível(is) de proficiência exigidos para o trabalho variam. No entanto, é necessário um nível básico de inglês para fins de comunicação em toda a empresa. 

A Cognizant é uma empregadora que investe em equidade. Sua candidatura não será pautada em raça, cor, gênero, sexualidade, credo, origem, deficiência, gravidez ou qualquer outra característica protegida pelas leis brasileiras.

Se você tem uma deficiência que requer adaptações razoáveis para procurar uma vaga de emprego ou enviar uma candidatura, envie um e-mail para [email protected] com sua solicitação e informações de contato.