Senior Network Engineer – Cisco / CCNP / Network Architecture

Senior Network Engineer – Cisco / CCNP / Network Architecture

Ramsey, NJ

Full Time 

Position Overview

Take a lead role in evaluating and strengthening an enterprise and data center network environment. This position focuses on performing a comprehensive network gap assessment across Cisco-based infrastructure, identifying architecture, security, redundancy, and fault-tolerance gaps, and developing a prioritized roadmap for remediation.

The role combines strong network architecture judgment with hands-on Layer 2/3 switching expertise and requires the ability to document technical findings and communicate recommendations to IT leadership.

What You'll Do / Key Responsibilities

• Assess the current LAN, data center, and perimeter network, including topology, configurations, hardware lifecycle, and operational practices.
• Identify single points of failure and gaps in redundancy, including HSRP/VRRP, vPC, port-channels, STP design, and routing convergence.
• Evaluate security posture, including segmentation, firewall-to-switch integration, management plane hardening, and Layer 2 security controls.
• Document findings in a risk-rated gap assessment report with current-state and target-state diagrams.
• Recommend remediation strategies and develop a phased roadmap covering quick wins and longer-term architecture changes.
• Present findings to IT leadership and support or lead remediation activities.

Required Qualifications

• Active Cisco CCNP certification (Enterprise or Data Center) is required. Candidates without a current CCNP will not be considered.
• 8+ years of enterprise or data center network engineering experience; 12+ years for Principal level.
• Proven experience leading network assessments or architecture reviews and producing formal deliverables.
• Expert knowledge of Cisco Catalyst and Nexus platforms.
• Expert Layer 2/3 switching experience, including:
• VLANs
• STP
• vPC
• LACP
• SVIs
• OSPF/EIGRP/BGP
• HSRP/VRRP
• Strong knowledge of high-availability design, network security architecture, and NGFW integration.
• Hands-on experience with fiber optics, including SFP/QSFP, SMF/MMF, and DOM.
• Experience with network analysis tools such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, or similar.
• Excellent technical writing and executive communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CCIE or CCDE certification, especially for Principal-level candidates.
• Experience in healthcare, life sciences, or laboratory environments, including HIPAA familiarity.
• Experience with VXLAN/EVPN.
• Knowledge of NIST CSF or CIS Controls.
• Experience with network automation.
• Experience with Arista EOS.