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Cognizant · 10 hours ago

Senior Network- Hands & Feet Engineer

East Hanover, NJ

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$80K/yr - $91K/yr

6+ years exp

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Network Hands & Feet Engineer to oversee the physical deployment and logical validation of network infrastructure. The role involves diagnosing issues across various layers of the OSI model and ensuring that physical connectivity aligns with logical configurations.

ConsultingIndustrial AutomationInformation TechnologySoftwareSoftware Engineering

No H1B

Responsibilities

Advanced Device Racking & Mounting

Precision Placement: Interpret and execute Rack Elevation Diagrams (REDs) to mount high-density chassis (Cisco Nexus 9k, Catalyst 9500) and 1U/2U appliances

Mechanical Safety: Ensure proper use of rack rails, cage nuts, and stabilization kits. Manage weight distribution to maintain rack integrity

Power Sequencing: Connect dual-homed power supplies to diverse PDU sources (A+B feeds) and perform "pull tests" to verify seating

Structured Cabling & Fiber Management

Fiber Optics: Expert-level handling of Single Mode (SMF) and Multi-Mode (MMF) fiber. Proficiency in cleaning connectors (IBC cleaners) and inspecting end-faces with fiber scopes

SFP/Transceiver Management: Correctly identify and install SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, and QSFP28 modules. Troubleshoot "link down" issues by verifying wavelength compatibility (e.g., 850nm vs 1310nm) and light levels

Patching & Labeling: Execute high-density patching in accordance with ANSI/TIA-606-B standards. Ensure every cable is labeled at both ends with Near-End/Far-End information

Patch Panels & Cross-Connects

Circuit Extensions: Coordinate with Telco providers to extend circuits from the Meet-Me-Room (MMR) to the local rack via cross-connects

Patch Panel Termination: Manage copper (RJ45) and fiber (LC/SC/MPO) patch panels. Perform "light-checks" using Visual Fault Locators (VFL) to trace paths through multiple patches

Media Conversion: Deploy and troubleshoot media converters or transceivers when transitioning between different physical media types

Remote Management & Console Access

Out-of-Band (OOB) Setup: Configure and cable Terminal Servers (e.g., Opengear, Lantronix, or Cisco ISR) to provide permanent remote console access to all managed devices

Serial Connectivity: Troubleshoot baud rate mismatches, roll-over cables, and DB9-to-RJ45 adapters to ensure the NOC has a reliable "backdoor" during outages

Local Support: Be prepared to connect locally via laptop and serial-to-USB adapters to provide a "live stream" of boot sequences or BIOS-level troubleshooting

Advanced Routing & Switching Knowledge

L1 Fundamentals : Strong working knowledge in ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet, Serial , fiber cabling, transceivers (Arista, Cisco SFP+, QSFP+), SFP, PIC, NIM, HA ports, power supplies, patching and troubleshooting, with knowledge of DWDM and experience in handling 10/20/40 Gig Fiber links

L2 Fundamentals: Configure and troubleshoot VLANs, VTP, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Port mirroring, packet captures. Must understand how to identify and resolve broadcast storms or physical loops at the rack level

L3 Fundamentals: Assist in the bring-up of Layer 3 interfaces (SVIs and Routed Ports). Basic knowledge of prefix lengths and IP addressing to verify gateway connectivity

Protocol Verification: Use CLI commands to verify BGP and OSPF neighbor adjacencies after physical circuit hand-offs or cross-connect installations

EtherChannel/LACP: Provision and troubleshoot Link Aggregation Groups (LAGs). Ensure that physical cabling matches the logical member-port configuration on the switch

Qualification

Advanced Device RackingFiber Optics ManagementRoutingSwitchingCCNA CertificationVisual Fault LocatorsEthernet CablingPower SequencingSoft Skills

Required

6–8 years in a Data Center or large Enterprise campus environment

Experience in installation of ethernet, fiber cabling on Cisco, Arista and Palo Alto, F5 load balancers and its associated components like SFP, PIC, NIM, DPC

Ability to navigate Cisco IOS, NX-OS, PAN OS or Arista EOS to perform show commands and basic interface configurations

Proficiency with Visual Fault Locators (VFL), Light Meters, and Fiber Inspection Scopes

CCNA or equivalent is mandatory