Lead Network Engineer

Lead Cisco Engineer Project Duration: 09/30/24 – 03/31/25, with the potential to extend 6-12 months.Contract role Washington DC AreaThis role as a Technical Lead – Sr. RS Engineer for Cisco 88xx chassis remediation is a highly dynamic and hands-on position with both technical and leadership responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements and tasks involved:Key Technical Responsibilities:Cisco 88xx chassis remediation: You’ll be leading pre-checks, inventory management, and the inspection of chassis/cards (both line and fabric). This involves running scripts, validating the outputs, and ensuring the proper storage of data for remediation.Chassis inspection and validation: Focus on meticulous inspection of hardware (connectors, pins, etc.) to ensure everything is working as expected. This is physical, hands-on work.Running health checks: Using scripts and validating the functionality of chassis/cards, ensuring they meet operational standards.Network access and validation: You'll use a customer-provided laptop to verify network connections and access, likely requiring Cisco CCNP-level knowledge to troubleshoot issues and confirm functionality.Leadership & Collaboration:Team Leadership: Overseeing a small on-site team including a Project Coordinator and 1-2 smart-hands technicians. You will direct their work and perform quality assurance (QA) checks.Collaboration: Requires working closely with Cisco and customer teams, both on-site and remotely. Strong soft skills, communication, and a positive attitude will be essential for success in this leadership role.Training: Initial training with experienced team members to get up to speed on the procedures and processes.Non-Technical Requirements:Extensive Travel: The role requires frequent travel, mainly to U.S. locations (Midwest and East Coast), and could expand internationally. You’ll need to be comfortable with fluid schedules, often traveling with just 1-2 weeks' notice, and occasionally on short notice.Physical Requirements: Ability to work long hours (10-12 hours/day) in warm data center environments, and capable of lifting components weighing up to 50 lbs.Attention to Detail: High attention to detail is required for inspecting connectors/pins and ensuring the physical hardware is functioning properly.Flexible Attire: Due to the warm environment, shorts may be appropriate when working in the data centers.Timeline & Flexibility:Project Duration: Initially planned from 09/30/24 – 03/31/25, with the potential to extend 6-12 months.Schedule: Expect a highly fluid schedule with advanced notice for most travel. The team will do their best to avoid short-notice escalations, though some might occur.Requirements Recap:Cisco CCNP-level knowledge: CCIE is not required, but you need a solid understanding of routing, switching, and network troubleshooting at a CCNP level.Experience with Data Center Hardware: Familiarity with Cisco chassis, line cards, fabric cards, and data center environments is key.Soft Skills & Leadership: Positive attitude, attention to detail, ability to lead small teams, and strong collaborative skills with both technical and non-technical teams.