Senior Network Engineer

Direct message the job poster from Gotham Technology Group

Job Title: Senior Network Engineer – Data Center Fabric & Multicast Specialist

Location: Stamford, CT

Type: 6+ months Contract

Position Overview

A direct client of ours is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Network Engineer to lead the implementation and optimization of next-generation data center network infrastructure. This role will focus on executing a critical data center modernization initiative involving the migration from legacy hardware to a fabric-based architecture using VXLAN and EVPN, managed through Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC). The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring seamless deployments, strong documentation, and robust network health in high-availability environments with multicast dependencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Infrastructure Modernization:
  Spearhead the replacement of legacy core and access switches (e.g., Catalyst 6500, Nexus 7000) with Cisco Nexus 9000 hardware, enabling a VXLAN-based leaf-spine topology across multiple data centers.
• Fabric Design & Deployment:
  Build and maintain VXLAN EVPN fabrics using Cisco NDFC, including provisioning of VLANs, VRFs, and external L3 connectivity, ensuring high-performance and scalable design.
• Multicast Readiness:
  Oversee the migration and validation of multicast-dependent services, replacing legacy multicast switches and resolving any related interoperability or application-impact issues.
• Network Configuration & Automation:
  Leverage Cisco NX-OS to configure overlays and underlays, implement NVE interfaces, and manage protocols such as OSPF and BGP to support robust routing within and across fabrics.
• Advanced Troubleshooting:
  Analyze and resolve network challenges at Layer 2 and 3, including VXLAN anomalies, multicast behavior, BGP EVPN routes, STP inconsistencies, or reachability issues, using CLI and telemetry tools.
• Documentation & Governance:
  Create high-quality implementation playbooks, rollback strategies, topology diagrams, and configuration artifacts aligned with ITIL or internal change control standards.
• Security & Segmentation:
  Apply VRF segregation, access control policies, and VLAN design principles to ensure a secure and segmented fabric environment.
• Migration Execution:
  Prepare and execute switch cutovers and data center migrations with precision, minimizing downtime and validating success against predefined success criteria.
• Future Planning:
  Contribute to long-term strategies for interconnecting additional sites, co-location facilities, or cloud edges with the evolving core infrastructure.

Required Expertise

• Strong knowledge of L2/L3 networking concepts including VLANs, trunking, STP, Ether Channel, IP routing, subnetting, and MAC address learning.
• Deep understanding of routing protocols such as OSPF and BGP, including deployment in VRF-aware environments.
• Proficient in VXLAN technologies including VNI, VTEP, and EVPN-based control planes, with real-world deployment experience.
• Expertise in deploying and managing fabrics via Cisco NDFC (formerly DCNM), including experience with Fabric Builder, templates, and policy automation.
• Hands-on with Cisco Nexus 9000 switches and NX-OS, capable of configuring and maintaining high-scale fabric environments.
• Skilled in diagnosing multicast issues, supporting migrations from legacy multicast hardware, and validating multicast application performance.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across data center environments, including CLI-based diagnostics and the use of monitoring/telemetry platforms.
• Proficient in generating clear documentation for engineering and operational use, including migration guides and network diagrams.
• Understanding of network security design within fabrics, including VRF isolation and access control strategies.
• Ability to operate independently and drive large-scale implementations with minimal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry certifications such as CCNP or CCIE in Data Center or Enterprise Infrastructure.
• Experience with network automation frameworks (e.g., Terraform, Ansible) for provisioning and compliance.
• Familiarity with L3
  
  Out design and external routing integrations with fabric environments.
• Previous hands-on work with Cisco Catalyst 6500 or Nexus 7000 (Fabric Path) networks.

• Seniority level
  
  Mid-Senior level

• Employment type
  
  Contract

• Job function
  
  Information Technology
• Industries
  
  IT Services and IT Consulting

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