Senior Network Engineer, Cisco SD-WAN

Cognizant; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 99,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Network Engineer specializing in Cisco SD-WAN, Meraki, and Viptela. You will architect scalable, secure networks to support hybrid work and global operations across distributed environments.

You will lead design, implementation, and optimization of SD-WAN, routing, and switching, collaborating with security, cloud, and delivery teams to ensure high availability and performance while minimizing business disruption.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise routing and switching.
• 10+ years designing/implementing SD-WAN in complex environments.
• 5+ years with Cisco Meraki SD-WAN architecture and branch connectivity.
• 5+ years with Juniper technologies in enterprise networks.
• Hands-on with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN and Viptela components.
• Strong security fundamentals and policy integration with cloud connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable SD-WAN solutions across branch and enterprise locations.
• Architect Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN and Viptela for application-aware routing.
• Define end-to-end network architectures supporting hybrid work and services.
• Design and optimize routing and switching for campus, branch, and data center.
• Review and optimize existing topologies to reduce incidents and improve WAN utilization.
• Create architecture diagrams, configuration standards, migration plans, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, application, and operations teams to align with policies.
• Provide guidance during complex incidents related to SD-WAN, routing, and network performance.
• Conduct capacity planning and performance analysis for bandwidth needs.
• Mentor teams on SD-WAN design, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Skills

SD-WAN

Cisco routing & switching

Hybrid work support

Network security fundamentals

Troubleshooting & diagnostics

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Cisco Meraki

Viptela

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Juniper

Job description

About the role

As a Senior Network Engineer specializing in Cisco SD-WAN, Meraki, Viptela, routing, and switching, you will design and modernize secure, high-performing enterprise networks across distributed business environments. You will architect scalable network solutions that support reliable connectivity, hybrid work, and global operations with minimal business disruption. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team, working closely with network engineering, security, cloud, application, and delivery teams to deliver resilient, secure, and optimized network solutions.

In this role, you will

• Design scalable SD-WAN solutions using Cisco Meraki to provide secure and resilient connectivity across branch, remote, and enterprise locations.
• Architect advanced Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN and Viptela solutions to support application-aware routing, granular traffic control, and efficient use of multiple transport links.
• Define end-to-end network architectures that integrate SD-WAN, switching, routing, and security requirements to support hybrid work and business-critical services.
• Design and optimize Cisco routing and switching solutions for campus, branch, and data center environments, with a focus on availability, segmentation, performance, and reliability.
• Review existing network topologies, configurations, and traffic patterns to improve availability, reduce incidents, and optimize WAN and SD-WAN utilization.
• Create high-level and low-level network design documentation, including architecture diagrams, configuration standards, migration plans, and implementation guidelines.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, application, and operations teams to align network designs with enterprise security policies, identity strategies, and cloud connectivity patterns.
• Provide technical guidance during complex incidents and problem investigations related to SD-WAN, routing, switching, and network performance.
• Conduct capacity planning and performance analysis to validate bandwidth needs, anticipate growth, and recommend upgrades before constraints impact users.
• Mentor implementation and operations teams on SD-WAN design, configuration methods, troubleshooting practices, and network engineering standards.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in Chicago, IL. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 10+ years of experience with enterprise routing and switching, including Cisco switching, routing protocols, quality of service, high availability design, and network segmentation.
• 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, or optimizing SD-WAN technologies in complex enterprise environments.
• 5 to 10 years of experience with Cisco Meraki, including SD-WAN architecture, policy design, traffic optimization, and branch connectivity.
• 5+ years of experience with Juniper technologies in enterprise network environments.
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN and Viptela, including control, data, and management plane components.
• Deep understanding of network security fundamentals, including segmentation, secure tunneling, access policies, and integration with enterprise security services.
• Experience supporting hybrid work, branch connectivity, remote access, and cloud access scenarios while maintaining reliable user experience and consistent security controls.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose complex network issues using logs, packet analysis, performance data, and enterprise monitoring tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present network designs, explain tradeoffs, document decisions, and collaborate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

These will help you stand out

• Cisco CCNP Enterprise certification.
• Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise SD-WAN Implementation certification.
• Experience evaluating new network features, software versions, and vendor capabilities for risk, compatibility, and business value.
• Experience improving monitoring, observability, and alerting for SD-WAN and core network infrastructure.
• Background supporting large-scale network modernization, cloud connectivity, or global enterprise network transformation programs.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $99,000 - $114,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer:

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.