Network Lab Engineer

Build/Manage feature testing, interoperability and certification testbeds

The Lab Engineer will build, manage, and document testbeds for feature testing, interoperability, and certification purposes. This includes working with Cisco, Arista, FPGA HW platforms, various optics types, and Ixia for traffic generation.

Networking & Security

• Cisco
• Arista
• F5
• Fortinet
• A10
• Avocent
• OpenGear
• NVIDIA

Timing & Synchronization

• Meinberg
• SAFRAN
• Spectrum
• GPS antennas
• PTP
• NTP
• PPS

Optics & Cabling

• Optical and copper transceivers (SFP+, QSFP+, QSFP28, DACs)
• Fiber (single/multi-mode)
• Structured cabling
• Optical taps

Traffic Generation & Packet Capture

• Ixia
• Spirent
• Corvil
• FMADIO

Compute & NICs

• Server platforms
• AMD
• Intel
• Cisco network interface cards
• Virtualization (ESXi/KVM)

Operating Systems & Out-of-Band Access

• Redhat Enterprise Linux
• NX-OS
• IOS XE
• Avocent
• EOS
• Jump hosts

Lab Environment Management

• Build lab environments to match production plant topologies and system connectivity requirements
• Execute limited certifications/interop testing
• Provide requested network connections in a timely manner
• Support multiple concurrent requests with timelines driven by project go-live dates
• Document lab testbeds and maintain them
• Design, present, and implement new lab processes and procedures
• Manage lab capacity, remove no longer devices, track inbound devices, manage physical installation, DNS registration, out-of-band access, cable management, and cleanup
• Produce monthly lab capacity and usage reports
• Automate inventory management for lab-related needs (cables, optics, wraps, bins, terminal servers, jump hosts)
• Proactively manage inventory replenishment
• Complete lab asset (and modules like line cards) inventory management, registration to ReadyWorks, nmdB, and any future management platforms (e.g., NetBox/Nautobot (DCIM/IPAM), ReadyWorks (asset tracking), NMDB (network device inventory), Infoblox (DNS/IPAM), Forward Networks (topology/config), and any future platforms)
• Manage lifecycle of lab DUT gear (EoL/EoS/EoVSS/LDoS) ensuring they run the latest certified code and/or code under certification as needed
• Manage lifecycle of lab test gear (e.g., Ixia) and keep ixa/testgear code up-to-date, schedule virtual routers (Arista Cloud Vision CVP for bug management), and simulate testbeds (e.g., CML)

Skills Required

• Internetworking skill (intermediate 5+ years)
• Experience with structured cabling, various transceivers, core routing and switching (preferably Cisco NXOS and Arista EOS)
• Basic understanding of servers and various NIC cards
• Lab management experience a plus
• Visio and draw.io
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken)

Good to Have Skills

• Multicast
• Traffic generator tools knowledge (Ixia, Spirent)
• Knowledge of traffic generator tools (Ixia, Spirent) a major plus
• Network tools (i.e., Netbox, Infoblox, etc.)
• Automation languages (Python, Ansible)
• Knowledge of AI tools (e.g., Copilot(s), Claude, etc.) to help streamline day-to-day operations

Salary Range

$90,000 - $110,000 per year