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; elevate 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

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/StackWise · MPLS/VPN

Patching Tools Cisco DNA Center · Cisco Prime · TFTP/SCP image transfer · Kron/EEM scheduler · Ansible (network modules)

Automation Ansible (ios_command/nxos_command) · Python (Netmiko/Napalm) · NETCONF/RESTCONF · RANCID/Oxidized

ITSM & Vuln ServiceNow (Change/CMDB)



· BMC Network Discovery · Tenable/Qualys · RFC/CAB · KEDB

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

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 advantages 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*

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📌 Network Patching SME (Ontario)
🏢 Cognizant
📍 Ontario