Senior Network- Hands & Feet Engineer

Cognizant Technology Solutions•East Hanover, NJ

5d•$80,000 - $91,000•Onsite

About The Position

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
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
Must understand how to identify and resolve broadcast storms or physical loops at the rack level
Basic knowledge of prefix lengths and IP addressing to verify gateway connectivity

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
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