Cisco Wireless Network Engineer – L2

Mindtel; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Mindtel is recruiting an L2 Wireless Network Engineer in Dubai to own the wireless lifecycle from RF surveys to deployment and optimization. You will design, implement, and troubleshoot Cisco wireless infrastructure across multiple sites, ensuring coverage and performance targets are met.

The role demands hands-on experience with Cisco WLCs and APs, proficiency in heat-mapping tools, and strong problem-solving skills in a highly connected, security-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in enterprise networking with Cisco wireless design, deployment and support.
• Hands-on with Cisco WLCs (9800 series) and Aironet/Catalyst APs.
• Proven ability to conduct predictive, passive, and active site surveys and produce accurate heat maps.
• Strong troubleshooting skills: RF analysis, spectrum analysis, packet capture.
• Knowledge of 802.11 fundamentals and 2.4/5/6 GHz planning.
• Understanding of VLANs, STP, routing, DHCP/DNS.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and deploy Cisco wireless infrastructure (9800/9800-S, APs).
• Perform RF site surveys and produce heat maps using Ekahau/AirMagnet or similar tools.
• Troubleshoot WLAN issues including roaming, interference, and throughput.
• Support wireless upgrades and lifecycle refreshes (AireOS → Catalyst).
• Integrate wireless with security and policy services (ISE, WPA3, 802.1X, VLANs).
• Collaborate with wired network, security, and field teams; document designs and SOPs.
• Monitor health, tune RRM/channel/power settings, and ensure SLA compliance.

Skills

Cisco wireless

RF site surveys

Heat maps

WLAN troubleshooting

802.11 fundamentals

VLANs

STP

DHCP/DNS

Tools

Ekahau Site Survey

HeatMapper

NetScout AirMagnet Survey

Wireshark

Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Cisco DNAC

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on L2 Wireless Network Engineer with deep Cisco WLAN expertise. The ideal candidate owns the wireless lifecycle — from RF site surveys and heat-map design through implementation, optimization, and troubleshooting — across enterprise and multi-site environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementation: Design, configure, and deploy Cisco wireless infrastructure, including Catalyst 9800/9800-S Wireless Controllers, AireOS, and Cisco Aironet/Catalyst access points (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi 6/6E).
• RF Design & Site Surveys: Perform predictive, passive, and active wireless site surveys; produce and interpret heat maps for coverage, SNR, and noise floor using Ekahau Site Survey / HeatMapper or NetScout AirMagnet Survey; validate designs with AP-on-a-stick testing and post-deployment surveys.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex WLAN issues — roaming, throughput, interference, channel utilization, client association/auth failures — using packet captures (Wireshark), spectrum analyzers, Cisco Prime/DNAC, and controller logs.
• Support wireless upgrades, migrations, and lifecycle refreshes (e.g., AireOS → Catalyst, legacy AP refreshes).
• Integrate wireless with security and policy services: Cisco ISE, 802.1X, WPA3, VLANs, QoS, and segmentation.
• Collaborate with wired network, security, and field teams; document designs, configurations, SOPs, and implementation logs.
• Monitor network health, tune RRM/channel/power settings, and ensure SLA compliance.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years in enterprise networking with a strong focus on Cisco wireless design, deployment, and support.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco WLCs (9800 series preferred), Aironet/Catalyst APs, and wireless NMS (Prime Infrastructure / DNAC).
• Proven ability to conduct predictive, passive, and active site surveys and produce accurate heat maps (Ekahau and/or AirMagnet).
• Strong troubleshooting skills: RF analysis, spectrum analysis, packet capture, client-side diagnostics.
• Solid understanding of 802.11 fundamentals, roaming protocols (802.11r/k/v), and 2.4/5/6 GHz band planning.
• Working knowledge of supporting wired networking (VLANs, STP, routing, DHCP/DNS).

Preferred Qualifications

• CCNA or CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR/EWLSI)
• CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator)
• Experience with high-density deployments (warehouses, stadiums, hospitals, campuses)
• Familiarity with Cisco ISE, WPA3, and zero-trust/segmentation architectures

Soft Skills

• Clear technical communication for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ownership mindset — drive issues from triage to resolution

Team collaboration and vendor escalation experience