Lead Network Engineer

Lead Cisco Engineer

Project Duration: 09/30/24 – 03/31/25, with the potential to extend 6-12 months.

Contract role

Chicago Illinois

This role as a Technical Lead – Sr. RS Engineer for Cisco 88xx chassis remediation is a highly dynamic and hands-on position with both technical and leadership responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements and tasks involved:

Key Technical Responsibilities:

• Cisco 88xx chassis remediation

  You’ll be leading pre-checks, inventory management, and the inspection of chassis/cards (both line and fabric). This involves running scripts, validating the outputs, and ensuring the proper storage of data for remediation.

  
  

• Chassis inspection and validation

  Focus on meticulous inspection of hardware (connectors, pins, etc.) to ensure everything is working as expected. This is physical, hands-on work.

  
  

• Running health checks

  Using scripts and validating the functionality of chassis/cards, ensuring they meet operational standards.

  
  

• Network access and validation

  You'll use a customer-provided laptop to verify network connections and access, likely requiring Cisco CCNP-level knowledge to troubleshoot issues and confirm functionality.

  
  

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Team Leadership

  Overseeing a small on-site team including a Project Coordinator and 1-2 smart-hands technicians. You will direct their work and perform quality assurance (QA) checks.

  
  

• Collaboration

  Requires working closely with Cisco and customer teams, both on-site and remotely. Strong soft skills, communication, and a positive attitude will be essential for success in this leadership role.

  
  

• Training

  Initial training with experienced team members to get up to speed on the procedures and processes.

  
  

Non-Technical Requirements:

• Extensive Travel

  The role requires frequent travel, mainly to U.S. locations (Midwest and East Coast), and could expand internationally. You’ll need to be comfortable with fluid schedules, often traveling with just 1-2 weeks' notice, and occasionally on short notice.

  
  

• Physical Requirements

  Ability to work long hours (10-12 hours/day) in warm data center environments, and capable of lifting components weighing up to 50 lbs.

  
  

• Attention to Detail

  High attention to detail is required for inspecting connectors/pins and ensuring the physical hardware is functioning properly.

  
  

• Flexible Attire

  Due to the warm environment, shorts may be appropriate when working in the data centers.

  
  

Timeline & Flexibility:

• Project Duration

  Initially planned from

  
  

  09/30/24 – 03/31/25, with the potential to extend 6-12 months.
• Schedule

  Expect a highly fluid schedule with advanced notice for most travel. The team will do their best to avoid short-notice escalations, though some might occur.

  
  

Requirements Recap:

• Cisco CCNP-level knowledge

  CCIE is not required, but you need a solid understanding of routing, switching, and network troubleshooting at a CCNP level.

  
  

• Experience with Data Center Hardware

  Familiarity with Cisco chassis, line cards, fabric cards, and data center environments is key.

  
  

• Soft Skills & Leadership

  Positive attitude, attention to detail, ability to lead small teams, and strong collaborative skills with both technical and non-technical teams.