Network Engineer (Route/Switch, Cisco ACI, SD-WAN, Azure)

We are seeking a Network Engineer with strong enterprise routing and switching fundamentals and hands-on experience supporting Cisco ACI, SD-WAN, and Microsoft Azure networking services in a production environment. This is an operations role focused on monitoring, incident response, troubleshooting, break/fix, and executing standard changes to keep LAN/WAN, data center, and hybrid cloud connectivity secure, stable, and performant. 

This position is eligible for the TalentQuest employee referral program. If an employee referred you for this job, please apply using the system-generated link that was sent to you. 

• Monitoring & Incident Response: Monitor network health and respond to alerts/incidents; triage issues, restore service, and coordinate escalations with providers and internal teams.

• Troubleshooting (LAN/WAN Route/Switch): Diagnose and resolve routing and switching issues (OSPF/BGP/EIGRP, HSRP/VRRP, STP, VLANs, QoS) across campus and WAN environments using logs, telemetry, and packet captures.

• Cisco Catalyst & Nexus Operations: Support and troubleshoot Cisco Catalyst and Nexus switching platforms, including port provisioning, VLAN/trunk configuration, STP consistency, vPC (where applicable), and hardware break/fix coordination.

• Software Upgrades: Plan and execute switch software upgrades and patching for Catalyst and Nexus platforms (pre-checks, compatibility review, maintenance window execution, post-checks/validation, and back-out planning) in accordance with change control.

• Cisco ACI Operations: Support day-to-day ACI fabric operations (tenants, VRFs, bridge domains, EPGs, contracts), troubleshoot endpoint/contract issues, and assist with controlled changes and upgrades.

• SD-WAN Operations: Administer SD-WAN policies, segmentation, DIA, application-aware routing, and failover; troubleshoot site connectivity and performance problems and coordinate ISP circuit remediation.

• Azure Network Operations: Support Azure networking components (VNets/subnets, NSGs, UDRs, Azure Firewall, VPN Gateway/ExpressRoute, Private Link/Endpoints, load balancers, DNS) and participate in troubleshooting hybrid connectivity issues.

• Hybrid Connectivity Support: Operate and troubleshoot on-prem to Azure connectivity (ExpressRoute/VPN, BGP, routing/propagation, redundancy); validate routes and failover during maintenance and incident scenarios.

• Change Execution: Implement standard network changes (adds/moves/changes, policy updates, route changes, segmentation changes) following change control, with back-out plans and post-change validation.

• Problem Management: Perform root-cause analysis, document findings, and drive preventative actions (config hardening, standards, monitoring improvements, and recurring-issue elimination).

• Documentation: Maintain accurate diagrams, runbooks, configuration standards, and knowledge articles; contribute to operational readiness and handoff procedures.

• Automation & Scripting (as applicable): Create or use scripts to reduce toil (data collection, config validation, report generation) using tools such as Python/PowerShell/Ansible and vendor APIs.

• After-hours Support: Participate in on-call rotation and scheduled maintenance windows as needed.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

• Hands-on experience supporting enterprise networks in a production (operations) environment.

• Experience supporting Cisco Catalyst and/or Cisco Nexus switching platforms, including day-to-day operations and troubleshooting.

• Experience planning and executing network device software upgrades/patching with pre/post validation and back-out plans.

• Strong troubleshooting skills across routing/switching and common network services (DNS, DHCP, NTP, AAA) with the ability to isolate issues across layers.

• Hands-on experience supporting Cisco ACI and data center connectivity in production.

• Hands-on experience supporting an SD-WAN environment in production.

• Working knowledge of Azure networking and hybrid connectivity (VPN Gateway and/or ExpressRoute).

• Experience executing changes in a controlled environment (ITIL/change control), including maintenance windows, implementation plans, and back-out procedures.

• Ability to write clear incident notes, RCA summaries, and operational documentation.

• Participate in an on-call rotation and occasional after-hours maintenance windows.

• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with multiple teams and vendors across various time zones.

Desired Qualifications 

• Certifications such as CCNA/CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Data Center (ACI), SD-WAN vendor certifications, and/or Microsoft Azure networking (AZ-700) are a plus.

• Experience with Nexus upgrade approaches such as ISSU/rolling upgrades where supported, including image management and risk/impact planning.

• Experience with network observability (NetFlow/IPFIX, SNMP, syslog, streaming telemetry) and common monitoring platforms.

• Experience with automation for operations (Ansible/Python/PowerShell), config compliance, and simple CI/CD workflows (Git).

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Location: 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180 | 5510 Heritage Oaks Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526 | 141 Security Drive, Winchester, VA 22602