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 — robust 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 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

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📌 Network Patching SME (Winnipeg)
🏢 Cognizant
📍 Winnipeg