Network Engineer

Job Title: Network Engineer – Level 3 (L3) Network Engineer

Experience: 6+ Years

Job Summary

The Network L3 Engineer is a senior technical role responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, and advanced troubleshooting of complex enterprise networks, including LAN, WAN, Data Center, SD‑WAN, and Wireless infrastructures. The role serves as the final escalation point for critical incidents and provides architectural guidance, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The position requires strong expertise in Cisco enterprise networking, including SD‑WAN, routing, switching, wireless, Cisco ACI, in large‑scale, highly available, converged environments supporting voice, video, and data traffic.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Operations & Escalation Support

• Act as the Level 3 escalation point for complex and high‑impact network incidents.
• Perform deep technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring or major incidents across wired and wireless networks.
• Ensure network stability, performance, and availability while meeting SLA and business continuity requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to L1 and L2 teams, including troubleshooting support and knowledge transfer.

Network Design & Architecture

• Design, review, and optimize enterprise campus, data center, WAN, and wireless network architectures.
• Lead architecture and deployment of:
• Cisco Wired & Wireless networks
• Cisco SD‑WAN (Viptela)
• Cisco ACI for data center networking
• Define standards for network scalability, resiliency, redundancy, and security.

Routing, Switching & WAN Technologies

• Design, implement, and troubleshoot advanced routing and switching solutions using:
• BGP, OSPF, EIGRP
• MPLS (L2/L3 VPNs, WAN integration)
• STP, HSRP/VRRP, Multicast
• Lead optimization of QoS policies to support real‑time voice and video traffic.
• Architect high‑availability and load‑balancing solutions across campus and WAN infrastructures.

Wireless Networking & DNAC

• Design, deploy, and support enterprise‑grade wireless networks, including:
• Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC)
• Lightweight Access Points
• Perform wireless site surveys, RF optimization, and capacity planning.
• Troubleshoot complex wireless issues related to:
• RF interference
• Roaming
• Authentication
• Performance and coverage
• Implement and manage Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) features such as:
• Network provisioning and automation
• Assurance and health monitoring
• Policy‑based segmentation (SD‑Access)
• Lead wired and wireless integration using DNAC‑driven workflows.

Platforms & Vendor Technologies

• Advanced hands‑on experience with:
• Cisco Nexus 9K / 7K / 5K / 2K
• Cisco Catalyst 6500, 4500, 3750 series
• Cisco enterprise routing platforms
• Support and integrate multi‑vendor solutions including:
• HP networking devices
• Infoblox DNS/DHCP/IPAM

Change Management, Automation & Improvement

• Own and execute high‑risk and large‑scale network changes, including migrations, upgrades, and data center or campus refreshes.
• Review and approve change plans, ensuring proper design and rollback strategies.
• Drive network automation, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives using DNAC and scripting approaches.

Monitoring & Troubleshooting Tools

• Design and maintain enterprise monitoring strategies using:
• SolarWinds and SNMP‑based tools
• Conduct advanced packet‑level and RF analysis using:
• Wireshark and wireless diagnostic tools

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of OSI and TCP/IP models
• Advanced expertise in:
• BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS
• STP, HSRP/VRRP, Multicast
• QoS for converged networks
• Strong understanding of:
• Wireless LAN design and RF principles
• Cisco DNAC and SD‑Access
• Data center and enterprise campus networking
• Familiarity with network security integrations and policies

Tools & Technologies

• Cisco ACI, SDWAN, DNAC
• NNMI
• Wireshark
• Cisco WLC and Access Points
• ITSM tools (Incident, Change, Problem Management)

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies

• Strong technical leadership and mentoring abilities
• Excellent communication with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and with global, distributed teams
• Analytical mindset with proactive problem‑solving skills

Work Environment

• Large enterprise or service‑provider network environment
• On‑call support for critical outages
• Close collaboration with architecture, security, operations, and vendor teams

1. Network Operations & Support

• Monitor and maintain enterprise LAN, WAN, WLAN, and SD-WAN environments.
• Perform Level 3 troubleshooting for network incidents and service requests.
• Diagnose connectivity issues involving routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless networks.
• Coordinate with Level 1 support and escalate complex issues to Level 3 engineers.

2. Network Configuration & Implementation

• Configure and deploy:
• Cisco/Juniper switches
• Routers
• Wireless Access Points (WAP)
• Firewalls
• VPN solutions
• Implement VLANs, trunking, routing, and network segmentation.
• Support network migration and upgrade projects.

3. Field Engineering Activities

• Visit customer or branch locations for:
• Network installations
• Hardware replacement
• Rack and stack activities
• Cable management and patching
• Wireless site surveys
• Perform onsite troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

4. Routing & Switching

• Configure and troubleshoot:
• TCP/IP
• VLANs
• STP/RSTP/MSTP
• OSPF
• BGP
• EIGRP
• HSRP/VRRP
• Analyze routing tables and network traffic flows.

5. Security Management

• Support firewall administration.
• Configure ACLs and security policies.
• Manage VPN connectivity (Site-to-Site and Remote Access).
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards.

6. Wireless Network Support

• Configure and maintain wireless controllers and access points.
• Troubleshoot Wi-Fi performance and coverage issues.
• Manage SSIDs, authentication, and roaming issues.

7. Monitoring & Incident Management

• Use monitoring tools such as:
• SolarWinds
• PRTG
• Cisco Prime
• ManageEngine
• Nagios
• Respond to network alerts and outages.
• Perform RCA (Root Cause Analysis) and prepare incident reports.

8. Documentation

• Maintain network diagrams and topology documents.
• Update configuration records and asset inventories.
• Create SOPs and operational documentation.

9. Vendor Coordination

• Work with ISP providers for circuit issues.
• Coordinate with OEM vendors such as Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and Check Point.
• Handle hardware RMA and support cases.

10. Change & Problem Management

• Execute approved network changes.
• Participate in CAB (Change Advisory Board) activities.
• Follow ITIL processes for Incident, Problem, and Change Management.

Disclaimer

HCL is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical disability or genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with federal, state, and/or local law. Should any applicant have concerns about discrimination in the hiring process, they should provide a detailed report of those concerns to [email protected] for investigation.

Compensation and Benefits

A candidate’s pay within the range will depend on their work location, skills, experience, education, and other factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses subject to company policies. In addition, this role is eligible for the following benefits subject to company policies: medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) retirement plan; 10 days of paid time off per year (some positions are eligible for need-based leave with no designated number of leave days per year); and 10 paid holidays per year.