Cisco Network Engineer (Contractual)

We are looking for a highly skilled Cisco Network Engineer to take the lead in designing, deploying, configuring, migrating, and troubleshooting enterprise SD-WAN environments. The successful candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN/Viptela technologies, including vManage, vSmart, vBond, and Catalyst 8000-series routers. This role requires proven expertise in managing production migrations, executing maintenance-window cutovers, and implementing high-availability network solutions in complex enterprise settings.

Key Responsibilities

- Design, stage, configure, and deploy Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN solutions across enterprise branch offices and data center environments.
- Manage vManage templates, device onboarding processes, template bindings, and both centralized and localized SD-WAN policies.
- Configure and troubleshoot vSmart and vBond controllers, overlay tunnels, control-plane connectivity, and routing operations.
- Deploy and integrate Cisco Catalyst 8000-series routers, with a focus on Catalyst 8235 and 8475 platforms.
- Configure and troubleshoot routing protocols including BGP, OSPF, IPv4/IPv6, route redistribution, and application-aware routing policies.
- Lead traditional WAN and Meraki-to-Catalyst SD-WAN migrations, covering pre-checks, staging, production cutovers, and post-implementation validation.
- Develop comprehensive Method of Procedure (MOP) documents, rollback plans, implementation checklists, and testing procedures.
- Implement resilient WAN connectivity designs featuring dual-router high availability.
- Collaborate with customer teams on firewall integration, routing path design, network reachability, and core network connectivity.
- Prepare as-built configurations, technical documentation, and operational handover materials to ensure smooth transitions.

Required Qualifications

- Minimum of 7 years’ experience in enterprise networking, including at least 3 years of hands-on Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN/Viptela implementation.
- Strong practical knowledge of vManage, vSmart, vBond, SD-WAN templates, policies, and device onboarding.
- Demonstrated success with production SD-WAN migrations, maintenance-window cutovers, rollback planning, and post-cutover validation.
- In-depth understanding of BGP, OSPF, IPv4/IPv6, WAN routing, underlay/overlay architectures, and routing convergence.
- Hands-on experience deploying Cisco Catalyst 8000-series routers, particularly Catalyst 8235 and 8475 models.
- Solid grasp of high availability concepts, firewall integration, change management processes, and enterprise network troubleshooting.
- Excellent skills in implementation documentation, customer coordination, and technical communication.

Preferred Qualifications

- CCNP Enterprise or CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification.
- Experience migrating traditional WAN or Meraki environments to Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN.
- Background working with multi-site enterprise networks, including branch connectivity and data center/headend deployments.

This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge Cisco SD-WAN technologies within a dynamic enterprise environment, contributing to critical network infrastructure projects that support business continuity and growth.