Subject Matter Expert [L2 and L3 SME]
Job Location : Chennai , Pune
Job Description [For our premium client]
Experience : 5 to 15 Years
Desired Competencies (Technical/Behavioural Competency)
- Routing & Switching (Cisco/Juniper OEM's) - DC
- DC-Core Network Protocol BGP/OSPF concepts
- Checkpoint Firewall Network Security & VPN concepts
- Cisco Wireless & SD WAN concepts
- F5 LTM
- DNS/DHCP, IPAM
- CCNP, CCSA, F5 Certificate
- Good-to-Have
- Cisco Meraki
- AWS Networking,
- Cisco ISE & Security
- NMS: BIG IQ, SolarWinds, CA Spectrum, Thousand eyes, NetBrain, Firewall Monitoring Tools (Checkpoint)
Responsibility of / Expectations from the Role
- Candidates should have a strong working knowledge of OSI layers 1-7, with the ability to apply analytical and troubleshooting skill sets to solve complex problems across all networking disciplines
- Monitor the performance and capability of the network using diversified tools. Identify the malfunctioning of hardware, software, and alerts events.
- Triage or troubleshoot the issues & incident, within the defined areas. Follow Standard Operating Manuals and coordinate with third party vendors, customer contacts, or other IT teams to implement solutions and resolution.
- Develop strong relationships with the customer and all other supporting departments.
- Experience on supporting the Cisco WLAN Controllers, SSID and Access Points
- Experience on Implementing and troubleshooting Firewalls Security, VPN's, NAT policy, Software Patch management
- Configuring and troubleshooting routing & switching protocols: Set up and troubleshoot protocols like OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, VLANs, STPs, VRF, MC-LAG, FHRP,DMVPN, NAT Policy.
- Solid understanding of LAN, WAN and SDWAN concepts (including wireless LAN) with experience in supporting enterprise class routers, switches in a global and enterprise network environment.
- Experience on Implementing and troubleshooting Internal and External DNS, IPAM, DHCP for IP management.
- Experience on Implementing and troubleshooting F5 LTM administration, SSL Certificate renewal, iRules creation, Software Upgrade & Patching
- Proactive Analysis: Review and analyze the DATA from Network Monitoring Tools to identify the best course of action to avert potential crises.
- Test & Implement software patches & firmware for the network & security devices
- Vendor or Supplier coordination, Problem-solving skills and ability to meet reasonable deadlines.
- Major / High Severity Incidents management & Problem, Vendor Management
Role: L3 SME LAN/WAN (24x7, Remote during out of business hours, Rotational Shift)
Key Responsibilities:
- Network Design & Architecture: Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-level LAN, WAN, and wireless network solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational requirements and industry best practices.
- Advanced Troubleshooting: Provide expert-level troubleshooting support for complex network issues, including routing, switching, wireless connectivity, and firewall configurations.
- Firewall Management: Oversee and manage firewalls (Checkpoint, Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, etc.), ensuring secure network traffic and protecting the network from unauthorized access.
- Optimization & Performance Tuning: Continuously monitor and optimize the performance of LAN, WAN, and wireless networks, including managing network latency, bandwidth utilization, and high availability configurations.
- Security Solutions: Implement and maintain network security policies, firewalls, and VPNs to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network resources.
- Wireless Network Management: Manage and optimize wireless networks, including site surveys, access point placement, and wireless security protocols (WPA3, WPA2, etc.).
- Network Upgrades & Maintenance: Plan and execute network upgrades, firmware patches, and hardware replacements to keep the network infrastructure up-to-date and secure.
- Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer: Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and support staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Incident & Problem Management: Lead the resolution of complex network-related incidents, ensuring timely identification, escalation, and resolution of issues impacting network performance or security.
- Network Monitoring & Reporting: Utilize network monitoring tools to proactively monitor network health, security threats, and performance metrics. Provide detailed reports on network performance, incidents, and actions taken.
- Collaboration with Cross-functional Teams: Work closely with other IT teams (e.g., security operations, cloud services, and data centres) to integrate network solutions and address enterprise-wide infrastructure needs.
- Documentation & Process Improvement: Maintain comprehensive documentation of network configurations, firewall policies, and troubleshooting procedures. Contribute to process improvements for network operations and incident resolution.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Extensive expertise in LAN, WAN, and Wireless networking (including routing, switching, VLANs, and protocol knowledge such as OSPF, BGP, and MPLS).
- Proficiency in firewall management and security solutions (Checkpoint, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, Fortinet, etc.).
- In-depth knowledge of wireless network design and optimization (Wi-Fi standards, RF fundamentals, and troubleshooting).
- Strong understanding of network security principles, including firewall rules, VPN technologies (IPSec, SSL), NAT, and network intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
- Hands-on experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios) for troubleshooting and performance analysis.
- Experience in network optimization and ensuring high availability (HA) for mission-critical systems and services.
- Advanced troubleshooting skills in complex network environments (routing, switching, wireless, firewall).
- Strong scripting or automation skills (Python, Ansible, PowerShell) for network management and configuration.
- Ability to implement network redundancy, load balancing, and failover mechanisms to ensure business continuity.
- Familiarity with cloud networking concepts (AWS, Azure, etc.) and hybrid cloud environments.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead complex network projects and initiatives.
