Network Lead

Narayana Health (NH); Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Narayana Health (NH) is seeking a Network Lead to own the end-to-end design, deployment, and operations of the enterprise network infrastructure in Bengaluru. You will act as the SME for Cisco Data Centre and Campus environments, managing firewalls, switching, routing, and wireless systems.

The role requires ITIL proficiency for L1–L3 support, CMDB management, and strong collaboration with the Head of Infrastructure to drive standardisation, security, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10 years of network engineering/administration experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a senior/lead network role.
• CCNP required; CCIE is a plus.
• Experience with Data Centre and Campus networks.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and operate enterprise network infrastructure end-to-end.
• Act as SME for Cisco Data Centre and Campus environments.
• Lead ITIL Incident, Change and Problem Management to minimize downtime.
• Mentor junior network engineers and drive standardisation across the team.

Skills

Network design & architecture

Leadership

ITIL processes

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Cisco Nexus NX-OS

Cisco ASA

Cisco WLC & AIR-AP

DNA Centre

Wireshark

Job description

Position: Network Lead

Department: IT Infrastructure Reports

Experience: 10 Years (minimum 3 years in a lead role)

Certifications: CCNP required; CCIE is a plus

Work Schedule: UK Shift (12:00 PM - 11:00 PM window / Rotational 9-hour workday)

Job Summary

As the Network Lead, you will be responsible for the end-to-end design, deployment, and day-to-day operations of the enterprise network infrastructure. Acting as the primary Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Cisco Data Centre and Campus environments, you will manage firewalls, switching, routing, and wireless systems across the organisation.

This role requires a strong command of ITIL processes to manage L1–L3 support tickets, maintain the CMDB inventory, and ensure robust security and video conferencing capabilities. You will partner closely with the Head of Infrastructure to drive network excellence, standardisation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Network Security & Firewall Management

• Cisco ASA Firewall Management: Design, deploy, configure, and maintain Cisco ASA Firewalls (including Firepower services) for perimeter and internal security.
• VPN & Security Policies: Manage VPN configurations (IPsec/SSL), NAT policies, ACLs, and IPS/IDS rules to enforce security posture.
• Anti-Malware Integration: Implement and maintain network security policies including Antivirus/Antimalware integration on Cisco devices.

Data Center & Campus Switching

• Cisco Nexus Data Center: Manage, design, and maintain Cisco Nexus series switches (NX-OS) — including Nexus 9k/7k/5k — ensuring high availability, VLAN management, and VXLAN/ACI configurations.
• Cisco Catalyst Routing & Switching: Design, deploy, and manage Cisco Catalyst switches and routers for campus LAN/WAN operations, optimising routing protocols (OSPF, BGP).
• Redundancy & High Availability: Oversee HSRP/VRRP, STP, and redundancy protocols to guarantee network resilience.

Wireless Network Management

• Cisco Wireless: Design, deploy, and operate Cisco Wireless Controllers (WLC) and Access Points (AIR-AP series), ensuring optimal performance, coverage, and security.
• Wireless Optimisation: Monitor and optimise wireless environments, handling capacity planning, RF management, and client troubleshooting.

ITIL & Service Management

• Incident/Problem Management: Lead the resolution of L1–L3 network tickets, adhering strictly to ITIL Incident, Change, and Problem Management processes to minimise downtime.
• CMDB & Asset Management: Maintain accurate CMDB inventory for all network devices, including hardware specs, software versions, and lifecycle management.
• Change Management: Coordinate and chair Change Advisory Board (CAB) discussions for network changes, ensuring minimal business impact.

Video Conferencing & QoS

• Video Conference Support: Design, configure, and troubleshoot network infrastructure to support high-quality Video Conferencing (Cisco Webex/Microsoft Teams).
• QoS Optimisation: Implement and manage QoS policies to prioritise real-time traffic including voice, video, and critical business applications.

Documentation & Standards

• Technical Documentation: Create and maintain Low-Level Designs (LLD), High-Level Designs (HLD), network topology diagrams, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Standards & Governance: Establish and enforce network standards, naming conventions, and change control documentation.
• Team Development: Mentor junior network engineers and provide knowledge transfer across the team.

Required Technical Skills & Experience

Certifications

• CCNP (Enterprise or Data Center track) — required
• CCIE (Enterprise Infrastructure or Data Center) — highly desirable

Experience

• 10 years of experience in network engineering or administration
• Minimum 3 years in a senior or lead network role, managing enterprise-grade infrastructure
• Proven track record in complex multi-site environments with Data Centre and Campus networks

Hardware Expertise

• Expert-level knowledge of Cisco ASA 5500-X series with Firepower services
• Deep hands-on experience with Cisco Nexus 9k, 7k, and 5k platforms (NX-OS)
• Proficiency with Cisco Catalyst switches and ISR/ASR routers for LAN/WAN
• Cisco WLC and AIR-AP series for enterprise wireless deployments

Protocols & Technologies

• BGP, OSPF, EIGRP — design, tuning, and troubleshooting in enterprise environments
• HSRP, VRRP, STP (RSTP/MSTP), VLAN management, and QoS
• VXLAN, ACI, SD-WAN concepts for modern Data Centre fabrics
• IPsec/SSL VPN, ACLs, NAT, and web filtering

Tools & Platforms

• ManageEngine, SolarWinds NPM/NTA for network monitoring and performance management
• Cisco DNA Centre for network automation and assurance
• Wireshark and packet capture analysis for deep-dive troubleshooting
• ManageEngine Service desk or equivalent CMDB/ITSM platforms for ticket and asset management

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to SD-WAN technologies (Cisco Viptela, Meraki) is advantageous
• Experience with network automation using Python, Ansible, or Cisco NSO
• Familiarity with cloud networking (AWS/Azure VPC, Direct Connect, ExpressRoute)
• Prior experience in a regulated or enterprise environment (finance, healthcare, manufacturing)

Key Competencies

Technical Skills:

• Advanced network design & architecture
• Cisco platform deep expertise
• Security & VPN management
• Network monitoring & analytics
• Incident & problem resolution

Leadership & Soft Skills:

• Strong stakeholder communication
• Team leadership & mentoring
• Analytical & critical thinking
• ITIL process discipline