Platform Engineer - Office Connectivity (m/f/d)

Adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.

*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

The role builds, operates and continuously improves secure, resilient and scalable office and campus connectivity capabilities. It provides specialist expertise for Cisco-based LAN/WLAN platforms and supports and consults business IT teams, architects, security teams and delivery partners on the effective use of these services.

The role acts as a technical subject matter expert, design authority and escalation point for Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst wired and wireless environments. It translates business and site requirements into robust technical designs, validates implementation quality and drives resolution of complex connectivity issues in a largely outsourced delivery and operations model.

Key Responsibilities:

Specialist advice

• Actively maintains expert knowledge of enterprise Cisco LAN/WLAN technologies, including Cisco Meraki, Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst Center, Meraki Dashboard and Cisco ISE.

• Provides detailed and specific advice on LAN/WLAN architecture, RF design, access switching, network access control, segmentation, monitoring, lifecycle planning and operational improvements.
• Recognizes the boundaries of own specialist knowledge and collaborates with architects, security specialists, platform teams and vendors to ensure advice meets organizational needs.
• Acts as the internal design authority and final escalation point for complex office and campus connectivity topics.

Emerging technology monitoring

• Supports monitoring of the external technology environment and assesses emerging LAN/WLAN, Wi-Fi, assurance and automation capabilities for potential impacts, threats and opportunities.

• Contributes to technology roadmaps, lifecycle recommendations, standard-model decisions and the sharing of technical knowledge and insights.

System design

• Designs LAN/WLAN components using appropriate modelling techniques and agreed architectures, standards, patterns and methodologies.

• Identifies and evaluates design options and trade-offs for office moves, new sites, campus expansions, refurbishments, access-layer refreshes and wireless modernization.
• Creates design views that address functional and non-functional requirements, including availability, security, capacity, performance, supportability and lifecycle.
• Produces and reviews HLDs, LLDs, configuration standards, site design packs and technical decision records; verifies and improves designs against specifications.
• Validates Wi-Fi designs, including AP placement, RF coverage, capacity, channel and power strategy, roaming, client density and high-density requirements.

Programming/software engineering

• Designs, develops, verifies, tests, documents and improves scripts or API-based integrations for network automation, reporting, configuration validation and operational efficiency.

• Applies agreed engineering standards and tools and participates in reviews of own work and, where appropriate, reviews of colleagues’ or suppliers’ work.

Testing

• Reviews requirements and specifications and defines test conditions, acceptance criteria and validation plans for LAN/WLAN deployments and major changes.

• Designs test cases and scripts, records and reports outcomes, and identifies issues and risks associated with the work.
• Performs post-implementation validation using RF, client, switch, controller, assurance and monitoring data.

Systems integration and build

• Ensures LAN/WLAN services integrate with identity services, Cisco ISE, 802.1X, DHCP/DNS, routing, security controls, monitoring, ITSM and site infrastructure.

• Defines configuration baselines, templates, supported device models and firmware recommendations for Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst environments.
• Diagnoses complex LAN/WLAN faults using structured fault isolation, RF analysis, telemetry, logs, packet captures and vendor TAC engagement, and reports the results.

Porting/software configuration

• Configures network software, templates and equipment and tests platform-specific versions in line with agreed designs and standards.

• Reports test outcomes and identifies improvements to configuration, implementation methods and platform standards.

Service level management

• Monitors service performance against agreed KPIs and service levels and maintains relevant technical records.

• Analyses service, assurance and incident data to identify recurring issues, design weaknesses, capacity constraints, firmware defects and improvement actions.
• Governs implementation and operations partners at technical level, ensuring designs, configurations, documentation, handovers and remediation actions meet enterprise standards.

Release and deployment

• Assesses release and deployment components and provides input to scheduling, migration, rollback and early-life-support planning.

• Coordinates builds, tests and technical acceptance with testers, component specialists, site teams and suppliers.
• Ensures release, deployment, operational handover and documentation processes are maintained.

Key Relationships:

• Global IT and Tech Core Connectivity

• Domain and Solution Architects
• Market IT Infrastructure and local IT teams
• Information Security and identity/access teams
• Platform and Software Engineering teams
• Business stakeholders and users
• Implementation partners, managed service providers and technology vendors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep hands-on expertise in Cisco enterprise LAN/WLAN technologies across office, campus and high-density Wi-Fi environments.

• Strong expertise with Cisco Meraki MS/MR platforms, Dashboard, templates, firmware lifecycle, monitoring and wireless health.
• Strong expertise with Cisco Catalyst switching and wireless, including access-layer design, resiliency, PoE, VLANs, STP, routing integration, QoS, controllers and Catalyst Center.
• Advanced understanding of RF fundamentals, 2.4/5/6 GHz design, channel planning, power tuning, roaming, interference, airtime and client-density planning.
• Strong knowledge of Cisco ISE, 802.1X, MAB, guest access, device profiling, certificate-based authentication and network segmentation.
• Ability to explain technical risks, options and recommendations clearly and to challenge suppliers constructively.
• Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, ownership and accountability for technical quality, service stability and continuous improvement.
• Proficient spoken and written command of English.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Four-year college or university degree with focus on IT, network engineering, telecommunications, computer science, or an equivalent combination of education and senior-level enterprise network engineering experience.

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive enterprise network engineering experience, including substantial hands-on responsibility for Cisco LAN/WLAN design, implementation, troubleshooting and operational governance in office, campus or large-site environments.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of practical experience with Cisco Meraki and/or Cisco Catalyst LAN/WLAN solutions, including design review, deployment support, performance tuning, incident escalation and lifecycle planning.
• CCNA certification is required; CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Wireless, or equivalent expert-level practical experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in global, cross-functional and multicultural project environments.