ROLE SUMMARYThe 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 MODELTower/pod lead and SME for Network patching — primary network interface to client NetOps/L2/L3 during Canada hours and weekend windowsCoordinates change windows with the NOC and client NetOps; owns Network tower compliance reportingOperates as network execution layer under client direction; network architecture/design changes remain client L2/L3 ownedDirects offshore network SMEs during onshore hours; manages escalation within agreed SLTsKEY RESPONSIBILITIESPlan and execute IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS firmware upgrades and security patches for Cisco, plus Juniper Junos and F5 TMOS devicesDesign patching sequences leveraging redundancy — HSRP VRRP failovers, VSS StackWise rolling upgrades, NSF SSO capabilitiesTake pre-change configuration backups (TFTP SCP), perform staged upgrades (core → distribution → access), and validate redundancy/failover post-changeCoordinate maintenance windows with the NOC and client NetOps; align to golden-config standardsMaintain device EOL EOS tracking and compliance posture; update CMDB and asset recordsPerform RCA for failed upgrades; execute rollback; elevate to L2/L3 NetEng and vendor (via client)



as neededTrack Cisco PSIRT security advisories and Field Notices; prioritize CVE-driven firmware upgrades within wave cyclesOwn Network tower compliance reporting; present KPIs to the Patch Service Lead for governance reviewsTECHNICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCOPEExecute IOS/IOS-XE/NX-OS firmware upgrades and Cisco security patches; Juniper Junos and F5 TMOS upgradesDesign redundancy-aware patching sequences — HSRP VRRP failover, VSS StackWise rolling, NSF SSO validationTake config backups (TFTP SCP); perform staged upgrades(core → distribution → access)Validate redundancy, routing protocol convergence, and spanning tree stability post-changeMaintain EOL EOS tracking; update CMDB device firmware levels; close vulnerability ticketsAuthor RFC CAB documentation; schedule maintenance windows with NOC and NetOpsTrack Cisco PSIRT and Field Notices; plan CVE-driven upgradewavesSKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIESPrimary SkillsNetwork Platforms Cisco IOS/IOS-XE Cisco NX-OS (Nexus)



Cisco ASA/FTD Juniper Junos F5 TMOSProtocols BGP OSPF EIGRP STP RSTP MSTP HSRP VRRP VSS StackWise MPLS VPNPatching Tools Cisco DNA Center Cisco Prime TFTP SCP image transfer Kron EEM scheduler Ansible network modulesAutomation Ansible ios_command nxos_command Python Netmiko Napalm NETCONF RESTCONF RANCID OxidizedITSM & Vuln ServiceNow Change CMDB BMC Network Discovery Tenable Qualys RFC CAB KEDBSecondary SkillsFirewall and load-balancer patching — Cisco ASA FTD upgrade F5 TMOS upgrade proceduresSD-WAN awareness and Cisco DevNet automationSplunk Dynatrace for network event correlationCERTIFICATIONSMandatoryCCNP Enterprise or CCNP Data Centre (mandatory)ITIL 4 FoundationPreferred (one or more)CCIE Enterprise or CCIE Data Centre — robust plusJuniper JNCIP JNCIA-JunosF5 Certified Administrator (F5-CA 201) for load-balancer estateCisco DevNet Associate (network automation) — advantageousNICE TO HAVEExperience patching large Cisco estates (50,000+ devices)Cisco DNA Centre and SD-Access operational familiarityFirewall policy-aware patching — ASA FTD upgrade experience with rule-set validationWORK MODEL & COMMITMENTHours Canada business hours + weekend change window coverageShift Model Hybrid onshore; scheduled network maintenance windowsOn-Call Yes — emergency network firmware events and routing outage escalationsLanguage English (mandatory)CompensationWe 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.DisclaimerThe 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

📌 Network Patching Sme (Toronto)
🏢 Cognizant
📍 Toronto