Network Specialist
Network - L3
Job Scope
Own the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of the data center fabric end-to-end routing, switching overlay, and change governance. Acts as the technical escalation point above L2.
Baseline / Minimum Skills
- OSPF multi-area design, LSA types, redistribution (must be able to explain design choices, not just configure)
- BGP eBGP/iBGP, route-reflectors, attributes (AS-path, local-pref, MED), used for DC underlay/WAN edge
- VLAN + Spanning Tree at a design level (STP scaling limitations and why VXLAN replaces it)
- VXLAN/EVPN — overlay concept, VTEPs, MP-BGP EVPN control plane (conceptual + hands-on config)
- Cisco Nexus platforms — 9K/7K/5K, NX-OS; vPC (Virtual Port Channel) design and failure handling
- Spine-leaf (Clos) fabric design principles — why it's used, oversubscription, ECMP
- IPv4/IPv6 dynamic + static routing, TCP/IP troubleshooting including packet capture analysis
- Change management ownership — able to write and risk-assess a MOP, not just execute one
Core Responsibilities
- Design and implement DC LAN/WAN changes; own the MOP and rollback plan
- Act as final technical escalation for L2-raised incidents
- Capacity planning and proactive performance/health assessment of the fabric
- Multi-vendor routing coordination for WAN/edge connectivity
- Mentor and validate L2 team's troubleshooting and change execution
- Coordinate with security/compliance for network-related policy items (QMS/ISMS/ITSM etc.)
Good-to-Have Skills
- Cisco ACI or other SDN/fabric controller exposure
- Automation — Python/Ansible for config push and validation
- Exposure to Arista EOS or Juniper Junos (multi-vendor DC)
- Basic understanding of RDMA/RoCE concepts (useful bridge toward AI-fabric work)
