Senior Network Hand & Feet Engineer (L2/L3 Physical & Logical Support)
About The Position
About the group: Cognizant's Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about accepting digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the constantly evolving needs of the digital era. Our broad approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to own the business in a secure environment. Job Summary: Role: Senior Network Hand & Feet Engineer (L2/L3 Physical & Logical Support) Location: San Diego, CA Job Description Core Objective The candidate will be responsible for the end-to-end physical deployment and logical validation of network infrastructure. You will be expected to diagnose issues across Layers 1, 2, and 3 of the OSI model, ensuring that physical connectivity aligns with logical configurations. 1. Advanced Device Racking & Mounting • Precision Placement: Interpret and execute Rack Elevation Diagrams (REDs) to mount high-density chassis (Cisco Nexus 9k, Catalyst 9500) and 1U/2U appliances. • Mechanical Safety: Ensure proper use of rack rails, cage nuts, and stabilization kits. Manage weight distribution to maintain rack integrity. • Power Sequencing: Connect dual-homed power supplies to diverse PDU sources (A+B feeds) and perform "pull tests" to verify seating. 2. Structured Cabling & Fiber Management • Fiber Optics: Expert-level handling of Single Mode (SMF) and Multi-Mode (MMF) fiber. Proficiency in cleaning connectors (IBC cleaners) and inspecting end-faces with fiber scopes. • SFP/Transceiver Management: Correctly identify and install SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, and QSFP28 modules. Troubleshoot "link down" issues by verifying wavelength compatibility (e.g., 850nm vs 1310nm) and light levels. • Patching & Labeling: Execute high-density patching in accordance with ANSI/TIA-606-B standards. Ensure every cable is labeled at both ends with Near-End/Far-End information. 3. Patch Panels & Cross-Connects • Circuit Extensions: Coordinate with Telco providers to extend circuits from the Meet-Me-Room (MMR) to the local rack via cross-connects. • Patch Panel Termination: Manage copper (RJ45) and fiber (LC/SC/MPO) patch panels. Perform "light-checks" using Visual Fault Locators (VFL) to trace paths through multiple patches. • Media Conversion: Deploy and troubleshoot media converters or transceivers when transitioning between different physical media types. 4. Remote Management & Console Access • Out-of-Band (OOB) Setup: Configure and cable Terminal Servers (e.g., Opengear, Lantronix, or Cisco ISR) to provide permanent remote console access to all managed devices. • Serial Connectivity: Troubleshoot baud rate mismatches, roll-over cables, and DB9-to-RJ45 adapters to ensure the NOC has a reliable "backdoor" during outages. • Local Support: Be prepared to connect locally via laptop and serial-to-USB adapters to provide a "live stream" of boot sequences or BIOS-level troubleshooting. 5. Advanced Routing & Switching Knowledge • L1 Fundamentals : Strong working knowledge in ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet, Serial , fiber cabling, transceivers (Arista, Cisco SFP+, QSFP+), SFP, PIC, NIM, HA ports, power supplies, patching and troubleshooting, with knowledge of DWDM and experience in handling 10/20/40 Gig Fiber links • L2 Fundamentals: Configure and troubleshoot VLANs, VTP, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Port mirroring, packet captures. Must understand how to identify and resolve broadcast storms or physical loops at the rack level. • L3 Fundamentals: Assist in the bring-up of Layer 3 interfaces (SVIs and Routed Ports). Basic knowledge of prefix lengths and IP addressing to verify gateway connectivity. • Protocol Verification: Use CLI commands to verify BGP and OSPF neighbor adjacencies after physical circuit hand-offs or cross-connect installations. • EtherChannel/LACP: Provision and troubleshoot Link Aggregation Groups (LAGs). Ensure that physical cabling matches the logical member-port configuration on the switch.
Requirements
- Experience: 6-8 years in a Data Center or large Enterprise campus environment.
- Ethernet, Fiber cabling, Hardware : Experience in installation of ethernet, fiber cabling on Cisco, Arista and Palo Alto, F5 load balancers and its associated components like SFP, PIC, NIM, DPC
- Routing and Switching: Ability to navigate Cisco IOS, NX-OS, PAN OS or Arista EOS to perform show commands and basic interface configurations.
- Tools: Proficiency with Visual Fault Locators (VFL), Light Meters, and Fiber Inspection Scopes.
- Certifications: CCNA or equivalent is mandatory
- Need to be proficient in English and local language in countries like Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, China and Japan
Nice To Haves
- CCNP Enterprise (ENCORE) is highly preferred to demonstrate routing and switching proficiency.
- Experience in handling mission critical network incidents/problems in Enterprise network Large campus networks and Data center, is preferred.
Responsibilities
- end-to-end physical deployment and logical validation of network infrastructure
- diagnose issues across Layers 1, 2, and 3 of the OSI model
- ensuring that physical connectivity aligns with logical configurations
- Interpret and execute Rack Elevation Diagrams (REDs) to mount high-density chassis (Cisco Nexus 9k, Catalyst 9500) and 1U/2U appliances
- Ensure proper use of rack rails, cage nuts, and stabilization kits. Manage weight distribution to maintain rack integrity
- Connect dual-homed power supplies to diverse PDU sources (A+B feeds) and perform "pull tests" to verify seating
- Expert-level handling of Single Mode (SMF) and Multi-Mode (MMF) fiber. Proficiency in cleaning connectors (IBC cleaners) and inspecting end-faces with fiber scopes
- Correctly identify and install SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, and QSFP28 modules. Troubleshoot "link down" issues by verifying wavelength compatibility (e.g., 850nm vs 1310nm) and light levels
- Execute high-density patching in accordance with ANSI/TIA-606-B standards. Ensure every cable is labeled at both ends with Near-End/Far-End information
- Coordinate with Telco providers to extend circuits from the Meet-Me-Room (MMR) to the local rack via cross-connects
- Manage copper (RJ45) and fiber (LC/SC/MPO) patch panels. Perform "light-checks" using Visual Fault Locators (VFL) to trace paths through multiple patches
- Deploy and troubleshoot media converters or transceivers when transitioning between different physical media types
- Configure and cable Terminal Servers (e.g., Opengear, Lantronix, or Cisco ISR) to provide permanent remote console access to all managed devices
- Troubleshoot baud rate mismatches, roll-over cables, and DB9-to-RJ45 adapters to ensure the NOC has a reliable "backdoor" during outages
- Be prepared to connect locally via laptop and serial-to-USB adapters to provide a "live stream" of boot sequences or BIOS-level troubleshooting
- Configure and troubleshoot VLANs, VTP, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Port mirroring, packet captures
- Assist in the bring-up of Layer 3 interfaces (SVIs and Routed Ports)
- Use CLI commands to verify BGP and OSPF neighbor adjacencies after physical circuit hand-offs or cross-connect installations
- Provision and troubleshoot Link Aggregation Groups (LAGs). Ensure that physical cabling matches the logical member-port configuration on the switch
Benefits
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
