Senior Technical Consultant SDN

AHEAD; India; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work

Learning & development

Wellness programs

Retirement benefits

Inclusive culture

Job summary

AHEAD is seeking a highly skilled Software Defined Networking (SDN) Specialist to join our team in India. The candidate will lead design, deployment, and support for complex data center networks with deep hands-on expertise in Cisco ACI, Arista or Cisco VxLAN, and VMware NSX (V & T).

You will collaborate across teams, deliver workshops, and ensure successful implementations that align with business goals while staying current with emerging technologies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years data center experience in enterprise environments.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of Cisco ACI, Arista or VMware NSX in large-scale deployments.
• Extensive experience with ACI multi-pod and multi-site design and deployment.
• CCNP, CCIE or equivalent certification is required or highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert for software-defined technologies.
• Deploy and support complex data center network solutions.
• Deliver client workshops and document architecture strategies.
• Align design objectives with client goals and drive successful outcomes.

Skills

Data center experience

Cisco ACI

VxLAN

VMware NSX

CCNP/CCIE

Leadership

Problem solving

Job description

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Software Defined Networking (SDN) Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in software-defined technologies, with deep hands‑on expertise in Cisco ACI, Arista or Cisco VxLAN, and VMware NSX (V & T). This role involves leading the design, deployment, and support of complex data center network solutions while ensuring alignment with business goals and customer success.

The SDN Specialist will work closely with cross‑functional teams and clients, participating in architectural discussions, delivering workshops, and ensuring successful implementations. Strong communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills are essential, as well as a passion for staying current with emerging technologies. A proven track record of executing large‑scale data center projects and holding relevant certifications such as Cisco CCNP/CCIE, ACI, or VMware is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert for software‑defined technologies
• Possess a strong understanding of Cisco ACI, Cisco or Arista VxLAN, and VMware NSX (V & T) technologies
• Participate in the deployment of complex solutions, create written deliverables, and conduct client workshops
• Communicate and execute architecture strategy & approach in clear, concise, and understandable terms to client senior management and other client stakeholders
• Implement design architecture objectives that align with client demand & business goals
• Receptive listening skills with the ability to present ideas in a clear, concise fashion to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Excellent situational leadership and timely decision‑making skills
• Passionate about successful customer outcomes
• Work effectively within all levels of an organization (internally & externally)
• Work both individually and in a team environment
• Deliver multiple IT projects on time and within budget
• Ensure knowledge transfer to relevant client teams for smooth operation of deployed solutions
• Obtain and maintain certifications with associated qualifications

Skills Required

• Minimum 7 years of data center experience in enterprise environments
• Deep hands‑on technical knowledge and expertise in: Cisco, Arista, or VMware NSX large scale data center deployments/migrations
• Extensive experience with ACI (multi‑pod & multi‑site) from design to deployment
• Strong sense of ownership, problem solver, sense of urgency and ability to be proactive in resolving challenges
• Experience with VxLAN design, deployment a plus
• Experience with VMware NSX design, deployment, V to T migration a plus
• Depth of knowledge around underlay, overlay concepts, segmentation strategies, and solution interoperability
• Cisco CCNP, ACI, or CCIE certification required
• VMware or Arista certifications a plus

Why AHEAD

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top‑notch technologies in a multi‑million‑dollar lab, by encouraging cross‑department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

India Employment Benefits include

Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees, with options to extend coverage to dependents

Paid time off and company holidays, along with additional leave benefits as per policy

Flexible work arrangements, supporting work‑life balance

Learning and development opportunities to support continuous growth and upskilling

Employee wellness initiatives and programs focused on physical and mental well‑being

Retirement and statutory benefits in line with India regulations

Inclusive and people‑first culture, with a strong focus on collaboration and ownership