Senior Network Test Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Network CNI Test Engineer to support network hardware certification, testing, automation, and validation activities for enterprise and cloud-native network infrastructures. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in LAN/WAN networking, routing and switching, network automation, Linux, Kubernetes, and cloud-native networking, along with hands-on experience in network lab testing, code certification, and performance validation.

This role focuses on testing and certifying network hardware, validating software releases, automating test workflows, evaluating interoperability, and supporting enterprise network reliability and security initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Network Testing & Certification

• Perform testing and certification of network hardware to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Design and execute functional, interoperability, scalability, and performance testing.
• Validate routers, switches, and enterprise network platforms before production deployment.
• Rapidly certify software patches, SMUs, and code releases, particularly for CVE-driven and security-related events.
• Validate interoperability with firewalls, load balancers, and other IP appliances.
• Identify hardware failures, software defects, compatibility issues, and performance bottlenecks.
• Document testing results, findings, and certification reports.

Network Engineering & Validation

• Support campus, branch, WAN/MAN, data center, and low-latency network environments.
• Validate network infrastructure based on engineering standards and best practices.
• Create engineering guidelines, configuration standards, and deployment templates.
• Develop network certification strategies for future hardware and software releases.
• Collaborate with vendors to evaluate new technologies, products, and feature enhancements.

Automation

• Develop automation frameworks using:
  • Python
  • Ansible
  • APIs
  • Infrastructure-as-Code techniques
• Identify opportunities for automation within testing workflows.
• Maintain and enhance automated test suites.
• Integrate Ansible playbooks with Robot Framework where applicable.

Cloud & Kubernetes

• Support cloud-native networking environments.
• Work with Kubernetes architecture and container networking (CNI).
• Operate Kubernetes tools including:
  • kubectl
  • Container networking
• Support networking and observability using eBPF technologies such as Cilium.

Linux & Observability

• Perform Linux administration related to networking.
• Utilize:
  • tcpdump
  • Wireshark
  • Git
• Analyze packet captures and troubleshoot protocol-level issues.
• Monitor network performance and validate operational readiness.

Security & Risk Assessment

• Perform cybersecurity assessments and CVE analysis.
• Support vulnerability validation and remediation.
• Evaluate network risk and certify security patches.
• Validate router hardening and secure network designs.

Required Experience

• 8+ years of experience in LAN/WAN network engineering and design.
• Experience leading network certification and validation projects.
• Hands-on experience testing network hardware in laboratory environments.
• CCIE or minimum CCNP-level networking expertise.
• Ability to work independently and lead technical initiatives.

Required Technical Skills

Networking

• LAN/WAN Design
• Enterprise Routing & Switching
• Cisco Catalyst Platforms
• Cisco Nexus Platforms
• Arista Platforms (7280, 7504, 7060)
• IOS
• IOS-XE
• NX-OS
• Limited XR

Routing Protocols

• BGP
• OSPF
• IGMP
• PIM
• Multicast
• IGMPv2
• IGMPv3
• PIM-SM
• Static RP
• RP-Anycast
• MSDP

Switching

• Layer 2 Switching
• Layer 3 Switching
• CEF
• TCAM
• Spanning Tree

Network Testing

• IXIA
• Spirent
• Wireshark
• tcpdump

Automation

• Python
• Ansible
• GitHub
• APIs
• Infrastructure as Code
• Robot Framework (Preferred)

Linux & Cloud

• Linux Administration
• Kubernetes
• Container Networking (CNI)
• kubectl
• eBPF
• Cilium

Preferred Skills

• MAB
• Port Security
• Network Access Control (NAC)
• 802.1X
• QoS
• IPSec
• AWS or Azure
• Data Center networking
• 10G / 25G / 40G / 50G / 100G networking
• Virtualization technologies
• Router hardening
• DDoS mitigation
• Routing protocol encryption
• SSH implementation
• Out-of-band network design

Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise networking experience.
• Strong experience with Cisco and Arista networking platforms.
• Experience in network lab testing and certification.
• Strong Python and Ansible automation skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.