Team Lead-Senior Network Engineer

About the Position

Team Lead & Senior Network Engineer

Infrastructure & Architecture

The Senior Network Engineer serves as the primary technical and coordination lead for Network Integration. This individual is responsible for overseeing the network infrastructure strategy, driving architectural decisions, and ensuring the successful delivery of all network-related field services.

Location: Winston Salem, NC (Onsite)

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Act as the primary Single Point of Contact for day-to-day operations. Provide guidance, direction, and technical oversight to the resources on-site.
• Represent in weekly status meetings, architectural council sessions, and stakeholder reviews.
• Coordinate escalations through the defined escalation path.
• Prepare and deliver weekly status reports outlining progress, plans, risks, and issues.

Network Architecture & Design

• Lead the planning, design, and blueprint development for client’s Fiber and Cable plant infrastructure.
• Attend architectural council meetings to understand networking needs and plan future projects.
• Design and architect large-scale infrastructure changes in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure physical implementations align with architectural plans.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive network architecture documentation and routing configurations.

Infrastructure Lifecycle Management

• Review End-of-Sale (EOS) and End-of-Life (EOL) equipment on a regular basis.
• Model suitable replacement plans, targeting 12–18 months ahead of EOS/EOL to accommodate purchasing cycle.
• Oversee infrastructure upgrade plans and maintain implementation logs.
• Validate property accounting in Cisco DNA Center.
• Maintain Cisco NAC and Cisco ISE Network.

Standards & Tooling

• Implement SolarWinds as a Network Monitoring Tool for devices.
• Integrate SolarWinds with existing ITSM platform (ServiceNow).
• Apply global standards and templates to Network.
• Troubleshoot network issues using provided tools and escalate to Cisco TAC as needed.

Vendor & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with vendors for support and hardware dispatch.
• Collaborate with Active Directory team for DHCP issues and services.
• Coordinate with electrical engineers, MFG engineers, and CAD/Drawing teams as required.
• Coordinate and communicate material decisions in writing via SPOCs.

Requirements

• 10+ years of enterprise network engineering experience in manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in team leadership and client-facing engagements.
• Strong expertise in network architecture, routing, and switching.
• Experience with Cisco DNA Center, Cisco NAC, and Cisco ISE.
• Familiarity with SolarWinds NMS and ServiceNow ITSM platforms.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• CCNP or CCIE certification preferred.

We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

About the Company

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.