Network Patching SME

ROLE SUMMARY

The Network Patching Tower Lead (Onshore) is the primary network interface to client Net Ops/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.

• Tower/pod lead and SME for Network patching — primary network interface to client Net Ops/L2/L3 during Canada hours and weekend windows
• Coordinates change windows with the NOC and client Net Ops; 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

• 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/Stack Wise 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 Net Ops; 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; elevate to L2/L3 Net Eng 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

• 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/Stack Wise 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 Net Ops
• Track Cisco PSIRT and Field Notices; plan CVE-driven upgrade waves

• Network Platforms Cisco IOS/IOS-XE
  · Cisco NX-OS (Nexus)
  · Cisco ASA/FTD
  · Juniper Junos
  · F5 TMOS
• Protocols BGP
  · OSPF
  · EIGRP
  · STP/RSTP/MSTP
  · HSRP/VRRP
  · VSS/Stack Wise
  · MPLS/VPN
• Patching Tools Cisco DNA Center
  · Cisco Prime
  · TFTP/SCP image transfer
  · Kron/EEM scheduler
  · Ansible (network modules)
• Automation Ansible (/)
  · Python (Netmiko/Napalm)
  · NETCONF/RESTCONF
  · RANCID/Oxidized
• ITSM & Vuln Service Now (Change/CMDB)
  · BMC Network Discovery
  · Tenable/Qualys
  · RFC/CAB
  · KEDB

• Firewall and load-balancer patching — Cisco ASA/FTD upgrade, F5 TMOS upgrade procedures
• SD-WAN awareness and Cisco Dev Net automation
• Splunk/Dynatrace for network event correlation

• CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Data Centre (mandatory)
• ITIL 4 Foundation

• CCIE Enterprise or CCIE Data Centre — strong plus
• Juniper JNCIP/JNCIA-Junos
• F5 Certified Administrator (F5-CA / 201) for load-balancer estate
• Cisco Dev Net Associate (network automation) — advantageous

• 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

• Hours Canada business hours + weekend change window coverage
• Shift Model Hybrid onshore; scheduled network maintenance windows
• On-Call Yes — emergency network firmware events and routing outage escalations
• Language English (mandatory)

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*