Network Engineer - Obsolescence Management

Job#: 2067306

Job Description:

Apex Systems is looking for a Sr. Network Engineer who can help with identifying end-of-life (EOL) and end-of-support (EOS) hardware, recommending replacement strategies, and ensuring seamless transitions. We need a Senior Engineer that has experience with route design and implementation of new devices into an enterprise environment. Please review the details below and apply if its a good fit for you!

Position: Sr.Network Engineer - Obsolescence Management (Hardware & Software)

Rate: 60-70/hr on W2 - Depending on the candidate

Length: 6+ Month Contract with Potential to extend and/or convert

Location: 100% REMOTE!!! - headquarters is out of Fort Lauderdale, FL

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Network Engineer specializing in Obsolescence Management to assess, plan, and execute hardware and software lifecycle strategies within our network infrastructure. The contractor will be responsible for identifying end-of-life (EOL) and end-of-support (EOS) hardware, recommending replacement strategies, and ensuring seamless transitions with minimal downtime. This role also involves software patch management, deploying security updates, and implementing configuration modifications as compensatory controls to mitigate vulnerabilities.

As part of the Network Engineering team, this role will also encompass tasks related to capacity planning, traffic engineering, and peering optimization, ensuring that upgrades align with long-term network efficiency and performance goals.

Must Haves:

Cisco Devices - Routers and Switches

Cisco Protocols - BGP, BGP Traffic Engineering, OSPF/IS-IS, MPLS, etc

Nice to Have:

SolarWinds

Patch Management

Python Scripting

MPLS

Multicast

Key Responsibilities:

Obsolescence Management - Hardware & Software:

• Assess existing infrastructure for EOL or obsolete hardware and develop replacement roadmaps.
• Maintain an inventory of hardware lifecycle statuses, tracking vendor support timelines.
• Develop and execute hardware refresh strategies that align with business continuity and scalability.
• Recommend hardware upgrades that are cost-effective, high-performance, and scalable for future needs.
• Ensure seamless hardware replacement and software migrations with minimal disruption to operations.

Software & Patch Management:

• Track end-of-support (EOS) software versions and plan upgrades to maintain compliance and security.
• Deploy patches and firmware updates across the network to address vulnerabilities proactively.
• Work closely with security teams to implement configuration modifications as interim controls for exposed risks.
• Maintain documentation of patches, upgrade schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.

Infrastructure Compatibility & Scalability:

• Ensure that new hardware and software integrate smoothly into existing network architecture.
• Work with network engineers to validate performance, compatibility, and redundancy of replacements.
• Plan for future scalability, ensuring that new deployments support growing network demands.
• Perform testing and validation of new hardware/software in a lab environment before deployment.

Vendor & Supply Chain Coordination:

• Work with hardware and software vendors to track EOL and EOS roadmaps.
• Evaluate and recommend alternative vendors for hardware replacement when cost or availability becomes a concern.
• Plan for long lead-time hardware replacements by assessing global supply chain risks.

Decommissioning & Asset Disposal Strategy:

• Develop a safe decommissioning plan for EOL hardware, ensuring data sanitization and compliance with regulatory disposal policies.
• Ensure proper documentation of decommissioned assets for auditing and compliance purposes.

Compliance & Regulatory Considerations:

• Ensure that hardware and software refresh cycles comply with industry regulations (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR, etc.).
• Maintain accurate asset tracking records for audits, ensuring documentation of replacement timelines, patch management activities, and security mitigations.
• Work with security teams to validate compliance status after software upgrades or hardware replacements.

Risk Assessment & Business Continuity Planning:

• Conduct risk assessments for legacy hardware and software to determine failure impact and mitigation strategies.
• Develop contingency plans for unsupported hardware, ensuring there are spare units or alternative solutions available in case of failure.
• Ensure that infrastructure upgrades align with disaster recovery (DR) and high availability (HA) strategies.
• Establish a testing and validation process before deploying new hardware/software to prevent unplanned disruptions.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Proven experience in Obsolescence Management for network hardware and software.
• In-depth knowledge of network hardware lifecycle management (Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, etc.).
• Strong experience with patch management, software updates, and firmware upgrades.
• Understanding of transport technologies (DWDM, MPLS, BGP, IP Transit).
• Experience with BGP traffic engineering in a Service Provider network is a plus.
• Familiarity with NetFlow analysis, NMS monitoring, and capacity planning.
• Experience with SolarWinds is a plus.
• Knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS) and hardware replacement strategies.
• Strong documentation skills for tracking hardware/software refresh schedules.
• Experience in network automation (Python, Ansible, or Terraform) is a plus.

Preferred Certifications:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - Routing & Switching or Service Provider
• Juniper Networks Certified Professional (JNCIP-SP)

Note: In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the company is actively working on other initiatives, including network automation, IPv6 transition strategies, and DDoS mitigation. The contractor may also be involved in troubleshooting multicast for video delivery, supporting ACI and VXLAN infrastructure, troubleshooting MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs (including VPLS), implementing and troubleshooting CGNAT (on A10 appliances), and assisting with IPAM migration and optimization. Experience with NetBrain and NetBox IPAM and DCIM is a plus.

Final Notes:

This Network Engineer - Obsolescence Management role is critical in ensuring that the company's network infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and scalable. The contractor will be responsible for proactive hardware and software lifecycle management, while also contributing to broader network engineering initiatives like capacity planning, BGP optimization, and peering strategies.

If you have strong expertise in infrastructure refresh strategies and network lifecycle planning, we encourage you to apply!

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.