Senior Network Lead (Cisco)

Role overview

Network architecture and leadership

• Lead design, deployment, and optimization of enterprise networks and develop scalable LAN, WAN, and data center architectures.
• Set network standards, governance, and best practices; provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineering teams.

Cisco networking and modernization

• Design, configure, and manage Cisco routing and switching across core, distribution, and access networks; implement BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and MPLS.
• Lead transformation, technology refresh, architectural modernization, SDN and automation adoption, and migrations with minimal disruption.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, cloud, and security teams on modernization programs.

Security, resilience, and operations

• Implement network security controls and resilient, highly available architectures; support disaster recovery, redundancy, business continuity, and security-policy compliance.
• Monitor and optimize performance, availability, and capacity; troubleshoot complex network issues and implement root-cause corrective actions.
• Manage monitoring and reporting platforms and lead firmware, patching, hardware refresh, and lifecycle activities.
• Develop automation for configuration, provisioning, compliance, and operational tasks; maintain documentation, standards, and procedures.

Required experience and skills

• 10+ years in network engineering, network operations, or enterprise infrastructure.
• Expert Cisco routing and switching knowledge; strong WAN, LAN, and data center networking experience.
• Deep enterprise network security knowledge and experience leading network transformation and modernization.
• Strong high-availability and resilient design knowledge; performance tuning, monitoring, and troubleshooting experience.
• Hands-on firmware upgrade, lifecycle management, and infrastructure refresh experience.
• Network automation using Python, Ansible, Cisco DNA Center, or similar tools; strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desirable experience and certifications

• Cisco ACI, SD-WAN, SDA, cloud networking on Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, and multi-vendor environments are highly desirable.
• IaC and DevOps practices and experience in large enterprise or regulated environments are desirable.
• Preferred certifications include CCNP Enterprise, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, Cisco DevNet Professional, Cisco Specialist certifications, CISSP, and ITIL Foundation.