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; prioritize 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; schedule maintenance windows 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.
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 perks 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