Data Center ACI Implementation Engineer

Role Summary
An experienced Implementation Engineer specializing in Cisco Nexus and Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is responsible for leading and executing data center upgrades, migrations, and new deployments. This role involves hands-on technical implementation, troubleshooting, and customer engagement to modernize enterprise and service provider networks. The successful candidate will ensure seamless integration and optimization of Cisco Nexus platforms and ACI environments with minimal operational disruption.

Responsibilities

• Lead the installation, configuration, migration, and upgrade of Cisco Nexus 5000, 6000, 7000, and 9000 Series switches.
• Execute data center hardware refreshes and platform migrations within Nexus and ACI environments.
• Implement and validate Layer 2 and Layer 3 network designs.
• Perform NX-OS software upgrades, lifecycle management, and code validation activities.
• Support Cisco ACI fabric deployment, including spine-and-leaf architecture configurations.
• Configure and troubleshoot ACI tenants, VRFs, bridge domains, application profiles, EPGs, and contracts.
• Develop detailed migration plans, implementation procedures, rollback strategies, and validation tests.
• Collaborate with architecture and engineering teams to align deployments with technical and business requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex data center networking issues, providing root cause analysis and solutions.
• Create and maintain documentation including network diagrams, migration runbooks, and customer reports.
• Support automation initiatives through scripting and infrastructure-as-code tools.
• Ensure compliance with operational, security, and change management standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of practical experience supporting Cisco data center networks.
• Proven experience with deploying, upgrading, and troubleshooting Cisco Nexus switches and ACI fabrics.
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP, Ethernet, routing, switching, OSPF, BGP, VRF, multicast, and high-availability concepts.
• Hands-on expertise with NX-OS administration and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of Cisco ACI, vPC, FabricPath, VXLAN, EVPN, and policy-based networking.
• Skilled in migration planning, testing, validation, and rollback procedures.
• Experience working in enterprise or large data center environments.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively during maintenance windows and critical change events.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP Data Center, Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center ACI Implementation, or CCIE Data Center (preferred).
• Experience with automation tools like Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Git, and Terraform is a plus.
• Familiarity with integration of Cisco ACI with VMware vCenter, Kubernetes, OpenStack, and cloud platforms is desired.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.
   

Publishing Pay Range: $65.00 - $67.00 Hourly
This is a fully remote role and can be performed from an approved location.