
Senior Network Engineering Specialist – Cisco ACI
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Engineering Specialist with deep expertise in Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). This is a technical, hands-on role within the Network Engineering team. The ideal candidate will have Subject Matter Expert (SME)-level knowledge and practical experience managing, designing, and troubleshooting ACI environments. Candidates with prior experience working in Cisco TAC or Cisco CX teams managing ACI will be given preference.
Roles & Responsibilities
Part of a team that is responsible for the Network Engineering & Deployment function and supporting Datacenter , Campus , Remote Offices and Public Cloud Network transformation projects Network Transformation Architecture:
- Lead the design, engineering, and execution of next-generation network transformation solutions.
- Collaborate with internal teams, including cloud, security, and application stakeholders, to align network infrastructure with business needs.
- Provide technical leadership in building highly resilient, scalable, and secure hybrid/multicloud network environments.
Design, Deployment, and Operations:
- Architect and deploy advanced Cisco ACI infrastructure across datacenters (DC1 & DC2).
- Integrate ACI with hybrid cloud and multicloud environments to ensure seamless connectivity andperformance.
- Manage day-to-day operations, monitoring, and troubleshooting of ACI fabric components.
- Collaborate with vendors, Cisco TAC, and internal teams to resolve complex network incidents and escalations.
- Policy Management and Automation:
- Develop and implement policy-driven network architectures using Cisco ACI's capabilities.
- Utilize automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Python) to streamline network operations and ensure efficiency.
- Ensure network policies align with industry best practices and compliance requirements.
- Documentation and Governance:
- Maintain accurate network diagrams, policy documentation, and technical procedures.
- Ensure all infrastructure and operations meet internal governance and security standards.
- Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing:
- Provide SME-level guidance to internal teams and mentor junior network engineers.
- Lead knowledge transfer sessions to enhance team capabilities in ACI and related technologies.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
- Cisco certifications : CCIE Datacenter, Enterprise , CCNP Data Center ACI specialization preferred.
Technical Expertise:
10 to 15 years of experience in Cisco Network technologies , with at least 3+ years focused on Cisco ACI.
Deep knowledge of Cisco ACI components and concepts, including:
- Fabric Architecture: Spine-Leaf topology, Fabric Discovery, and Fabric Access Policies.
- Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC): Clustering, APIs (REST, XML, JSON), and GUI management.
- Endpoint Groups (EPGs), Contracts, and Filters: Policy-based connectivity and segmentation.
- Tenant Model: VRFs, Bridge Domains, and Layer 2/3 connectivity across multiple tenants.
- ACI Multi-Site and Multi-Pod deployments.
- Integration with L4-L7 services (e.g., firewalls, load balancers) using Service Graphs.
- Expertise in ACI troubleshooting: Health Scores, Service Graphs, and CLI/APIC diagnostics.
- Experience with Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insight for monitoring and managing ACI environments effectively.
- VXLAN and EVPN Expertise:
- VXLAN Fabric Architecture: Understanding of VXLAN encapsulation for scalable Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks.
- MP-BGP EVPN (Ethernet VPN): Control plane for VXLAN, providing seamless Layer 2 extension and optimized Layer 3 routing.
- Interoperability between ACI and non-ACI environments using VXLAN/EVPN.
- BGP and OSPF Routing Expertise:
- In-depth knowledge of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) for managing external and internal routing policies.
- Experience with BGP peering, route filtering, and path selection in complex ACI and datacenter environments.
- Expertise in OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) for building dynamic Layer 3 routing in underlay networks.
- Integration of BGP and OSPF within ACI fabric to manage hybrid cloud and multi-pod deployments.
Solution Architecture : (Nice-to-Have only )
- Solution-level understanding of Cisco ACI interoperability with:
- Firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Checkpoint , Fortinet).
- Load Balancers (e.g., F5 GTM, LTM, ASM).
- Micro-Segmentation solutions and policy enforcement.
- IPAM, DNS, and DHCP systems.
- Added advantage for candidates with hands-on experience integrating ACI with these solutions, though a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies is acceptable.
- Experience with Ansible, Python scripting, and ACI REST APIs for automation.
- Knowledge of ACI App Center integrations and customization of ACI apps.
- Experience with integrating ACI with multicloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Soft Skills:
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders across departments.
- Self-motivated with a continuous learning mindset and ability to work under pressure.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a network transformation project leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
- Work in a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and skill enhancement.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $6,000.00 - $10,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person