Senior SD-WAN & Enterprise Networking Architect - Remote

Cognizant; Salem (OR); Remote; USD 99,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Network Engineer specializing in Cisco SD-WAN, Meraki, and Viptela to design and modernize secure, high-performing enterprise networks for distributed environments. You will architect scalable solutions, guide hybrid work connectivity, and collaborate across security, cloud, and delivery teams to ensure resilient, optimized networking.

Responsibilities include designing SD-WAN across locations, defining end-to-end architectures, and mentoring teams while aligning

Qualifications

• 10+ years with enterprise routing and switching.
• 10+ years designing, implementing, or optimizing SD-WAN in complex enterprise environments.
• 5 to 10 years with Cisco Meraki, including SD-WAN architecture, policy design, traffic optimization, and branch connectivity.
• 5+ years 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.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable SD-WAN solutions across branch, remote, and enterprise locations.
• Architect Cisco SD-WAN and Viptela to support application-aware routing.
• Define end-to-end network architectures for hybrid work and critical services.
• Design and optimize Cisco routing and switching for campus, branch, and data center.
• Review existing topologies to improve availability and WAN utilization.
• Create design documentation: diagrams, standards, migration plans, and implementation guidelines.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, application, and operations teams to align with policies.
• Provide guidance during complex incidents and performance issues.
• Conduct capacity planning and performance analysis to anticipate growth.
• Mentor implementation teams on SD-WAN design and troubleshooting.

Skills

SD-WAN design

Cisco Meraki

Viptela

Routing & Switching

Hybrid work support

Network performance analysis

Strong communication

Troubleshooting

Tools

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Viptela

Meraki

Networking monitoring tools

Job description

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Network Engineer specializing in Cisco SD-WAN, Meraki, and Viptela to design and modernize secure, high-performing enterprise networks for distributed environments. You will architect scalable solutions, guide hybrid work connectivity, and collaborate across security, cloud, and delivery teams to ensure resilient, optimized networking.

Responsibilities include designing SD-WAN across locations, defining end-to-end architectures, and mentoring teams while aligning