Network Patching SME
- Toronto, ON, Canada
Compensation: We are offering between $60,000 – $85,000. · Full-time
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Job details
- Pay
- Compensation: We are offering between $60,000 – $85,000.
- Job type
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Posting language
- English
- Posted
Original job description
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; escalate 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
Primary Skills
SKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIES
Network Platforms
Cisco IOS/IOS-XE
BGP
Cisco DNA Center
Ansible (ios_command/nxos_command)
ServiceNow (Change/CMDB)
▸ 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 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*
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; escalate 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
Primary Skills
SKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIES
Network Platforms
Cisco IOS/IOS-XE
- Cisco NX-OS (Nexus)
- Cisco ASA/FTD
- Juniper Junos
- F5 TMOS
BGP
- OSPF
- EIGRP
- STP/RSTP/MSTP
- HSRP/VRRP
- VSS/StackWise
- MPLS/VPN
Cisco DNA Center
- Cisco Prime
- TFTP/SCP image transfer
- Kron/EEM scheduler
- Ansible (network modules)
Ansible (ios_command/nxos_command)
- Python (Netmiko/Napalm)
- NETCONF/RESTCONF
- RANCID/Oxidized
ServiceNow (Change/CMDB)
- BMC Network Discovery
- Tenable/Qualys
- RFC/CAB
- KEDB
▸ 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 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*
More about this job
Responsibilities
The Network Patching SME is responsible for planning and executing firmware upgrades and security patches across a large-scale network infrastructure. This role coordinates maintenance windows with the NOC and client teams while ensuring compliance and redundancy validation.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a CCNP Enterprise or Data Centre certification and have expert-level knowledge of Cisco networking platforms. Strong experience in network redundancy patterns and the ability to work during Canada business hours and weekend maintenance windows is required.
Skills
- Cisco IOS
- Cisco NX-OS
- Juniper Junos
- F5 TMOS
- Network Patching
- BGP
- OSPF
- HSRP
- VRRP
- Ansible
- Python
- ServiceNow
- Change Management
- Network Redundancy
- Cisco DNA Center
- Troubleshooting
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Categories
- Technology
- Consulting
- Software
- Security & Safety
Keywords
- Network Patching
- Cisco IOS-XE
- NX-OS
- Juniper
- F5 Load Balancers
- BGP
- OSPF
- EIGRP
- STP
- HSRP
- VRRP
- VSS
- StackWise
- MPLS
- Cisco DNA Center
- Ansible
- Python
- Netmiko
- ServiceNow
- CMDB
- Tenable
- Qualys
- CCNP
- CCIE
- ITIL 4
- PSIRT
- Firmware Upgrades
- Network Redundancy
- Change Management
- RFC