Senior Network Systems Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Network Systems Engineer to join our Global Network Services team operating and engineering the enterprise network that underpins NetApp worldwide. This is a deep technical role for an expert in Cisco routing SD-WAN and campus networking who can own complex infrastructure end to end from design and deployment through day-two operations and escalated troubleshooting across a global multi-region estate.

The team is evolving toward a cloud-first automation-led operating model. While this role is anchored in deep networking expertise the ideal candidate brings or is eager to build automation and infrastructure-as-code skills and will help modernise how we operate: replacing manual repetitive work with codified repeatable engineering. You will be a senior technical voice on the team mentoring others and setting the standard for engineering quality.

Job Responsibilites

• Own routing across the global routing estate design implement and operate enterprise routing (BGP OSPF) including internet edge WAN and inter-site connectivity.
• Engineer and operate the Cisco SD-WAN environment (Catalyst SD-WAN / Viptela) policy design template management onboarding new sites and troubleshooting overlay/underlay issues.
• Lead campus networking across the global office and lab footprint access/distribution/core wireless and network access delivering reliable secure high-performance connectivity.
• Resolve escalated operational issues (Tier 3/4) act as the senior escalation point for complex incidents driving root-cause analysis and permanent resolution.
• Deliver new site builds refreshes and migrations produce designs interconnect matrices and cutover plans; coordinate with vendors and installation partners through delivery.
• Drive network changes through structured change control plan risk-assess and execute changes with appropriate testing validation and rollback.
• Maintain operational health through observability use network monitoring and telemetry tooling to detect diagnose and pre-empt issues before they impact users.
• Contribute to standards runbooks and documentation raise the quality bar for how the team designs operates and hands off work.
• Mentor junior engineers and share expertise act as a technical mentor and multiplier across the team.
• Support automation and modernisation partner with automation/SRE colleagues to codify recurring tasks moving the team from manual operations toward infrastructure as code.

Job Requirements

• Routing
• Expert-level knowledge of enterprise routing: BGP OSPF EIGRP route redistribution path selection and policy-based routing.
• Hands-on experience operating routing on Cisco platforms (IOS-XE ASR/ISR Catalyst 8000) at enterprise scale.
• Strong grasp of internet edge WAN and DIA circuit design including working with service providers on connectivity and troubleshooting.

SD-WAN

• Deep expertise in Cisco SD-WAN (Catalyst SD-WAN / Viptela): control management and data plane; vManage/Catalyst Manager vBond vSmart.
• Proven experience with SD-WAN policy design template configuration site onboarding and overlay/underlay troubleshooting.
• Understanding of transport-independent design across MPLS broadband and cellular with application-aware routing and QoS.

Networking

• Expert knowledge of campus LAN architecture: access/distribution/core Layer 2/Layer 3 design spanning tree VLANs and first-hop redundancy (HSRP/VRRP).
• Strong experience with Cisco campus switching (Catalyst 9000 series) or Juniper Switching.
• Expertise in enterprise wireless design deployment and troubleshooting of Cisco wireless (WLC Catalyst/Meraki or Juniper Mist access points) RF planning and roaming.
• Familiarity with network access control and segmentation (Cisco ISE 802.1X TACACS/RADIUS).

General

• Significant hands-on experience (typically 8 years) in enterprise network engineering and operations including a senior or lead technical role.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex high-impact network infrastructure in a global environment.
• Strong troubleshooting discipline and structured incident-resolution skills under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across regions and mentor others.

Nice to Have

• The following are not required but will distinguish a strong candidate particularly the automation and cloud capabilities that align with where the team is heading.
• Scripting and automation experience Python Ansible or similar applied to network configuration or operations.
• Exposure to infrastructure as code (Terraform) and network-as-code approaches.
• Experience with workflow automation and orchestration platforms such as n8n building automated workflows that connect network tooling APIs and operational processes.
• Familiarity with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and AI-agent integration connecting AI assistants to network tools data sources and operational systems.
• Familiarity with Git-based workflows and CI/CD concepts for network change.
• Experience with network observability and telemetry platforms (e.g. ThousandEyes NetScout SolarWinds LiveAction streaming telemetry).
• Cloud networking exposure across AWS Azure or OCI (transit peering cloud connectivity).
• Interest in AIOps or AI-assisted operations using modern tooling to reduce toil and improve reliability.
• Understanding of SRE practices: SLOs error budgets and toil reduction.
• Firewall and security exposure (Cisco ASA/Firepower Palo Alto).
• Relevant certifications: CCNP / CCIE (Enterprise Infrastructure) Cisco SD-WAN specialisation or equivalent.
• Experience with data-centre networking (Nexus ACI) and load balancing / GSLB.