The interconnect engineer will be responsible for the execution of work requests. Our requirement would be to hire in lower cost resource centers that can support activity in all of our major carrier neutral DC’s (Americas, EMEA and APAC). Resource skills requirements are as follows:

• 2yrs+ Network Engineer experience 

• Working knowledge of layer 3 routing protocols (BGP, OSFP etc.)

• Working knowledge of layer 2 protocols (VLAN, ARP, LACP, LLDP etc.)

• Direct experience of enabling transit or IX links

• Experience troubleshooting interconnect delivery, knowledge of the main troubleshooting steps

• Knowledge of different optic types and compatibility 

• Experience of JUNOS CLI

• Knowledge of DC collocation services and how to request local patching 

• Creation of LOA’s 

• Similar work within a network service provider 

• Optical switch experience (Ciena or Coriant)

• Physical patching experience within a DC

Interconnect refers to the logical and physical connections between our DC networks, and connectivity to network service providers or partners. The following types of connectivity would fall in scope of this definition:

• Inter DC dark fiber connectivity (termination between optical switches)

• IP transit connectivity landing on our peering router

• Internet exchange connectivity landing on our peering router

• Private interconnect between partners who are offering settlement free peering 

• Connectivity to cloud service providers 

Scope 

We are looking for a vendor to build and manage a team of interconnect network engineers to support the bulk of these demands across our 3 geographic regions (APJC/EMEA/Americas). These engineers will work as an extension of our regional infrastructure delivery teams. The high level scope of the delivery is as follows:

• Triage and facilitate new interconnect network requests (ticketed)

• Liaise with internal requesting team (Network Strategy) to clarify request and provide feedback if there are missing details that prevent execution

• Provide Cloudflare LOA (Letter of Authorization to support customer connectivity) 

• Manage port reservations on network routers

• Raise request for physical cable patching within the DC

• Request port activation

• Update internal network tracing tools 

• Support interconnect troubleshooting as needed

• Track delivery run-rate 

• Maintain SLO with Network Strategy on interconnect completion 

Service Requirements 

In order for this engagement to run smoothly we have defined the following service requirements that the partner will need to meet

Account Management

Account Management support will be required to lead the engagement and establish the baseline for operations. The account team will be accountable to the Cloudflare project lead to ensure the success of the program, the following is expected:

• Providing resources that meet the minimum job profile that is shared

• Limiting gaps in productivity due to engineer attrition 

• Ensuring internal training is provided to limit further on-boarding by Cloudflare

• Ensuring work product standards are met and to not create operational risk

• Supporting escalations from the Cloudflare sponsor and regional leads

• Providing suggestions to improve productivity and efficacy 

Technical Program Management

High level TPM support will be required to support the following:

• Initial engagement to align process methodology and define training and knowledge sharing needs 

• Establish reporting criteria for measurement

• Establish reporting frequency with Engineering Managers

• Support process development feedback 

• Share innovation requests into Cloudflare to improve deployment efficiency and quality