Network Test Engineer - Cisco, Arista and Network Automation

We are seeking a Senior Network Test Engineer to test and certify enterprise network hardware, software releases, patches and security updates before production deployment. This is a hands-on network engineering and lab validation position-not a traditional network support or NOC role. The engineer will design test strategies, perform functional and performance testing, automate test workflows and provide certification recommendations for large-scale enterprise network environments., * Test and certify routers, switches, software releases, patches, SMUs and configuration changes.

• Develop test plans for campus, branch, WAN/MAN, data center and low-latency networks.
• Perform functional, performance, interoperability and security validation in a network lab.
• Validate Cisco and Arista hardware and software across multiple platforms.
• Analyze bugs, CVEs and operational risks associated with network software releases.
• Develop and maintain automated tests using Python, Ansible, APIs and infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Diagnose routing, switching, multicast, performance and compatibility issues.
• Use Wireshark, tcpdump, IXIA or Spirent to test and troubleshoot network behavior.
• Create certification reports, engineering standards, configuration templates and technical documentation.
• Coordinate proof-of-concept testing with technology vendors and internal engineering teams.
• Present test findings, risks and recommendations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• 8+ years of LAN/WAN network design, engineering, testing or certification experience.
• CCNP-level networking knowledge; CCIE-level experience is preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst, Nexus, IOS-XE and NX-OS.
• Experience with Arista switches and enterprise network platforms.
• Advanced understanding of BGP, OSPF, spanning tree and Layer 2/Layer 3 networking.
• Strong multicast knowledge, including IGMPv2/v3, PIM-SM, Anycast RP and MSDP.
• Experience testing and certifying network hardware, operating-system releases, patches and SMUs in a lab environment.
• Working knowledge of Linux administration and network troubleshooting.
• Hands-on experience with Python, Ansible, Git and API-based automation.
• Proficiency with Wireshark, tcpdump and network traffic analysis.
• Understanding of Kubernetes architecture, container networking and CNI.
• Ability to work independently, lead technical testing initiatives and communicate findings clearly., * Experience with Cilium, eBPF networking, observability and security.
• Experience with IXIA, Spirent or similar network testing platforms.
• Familiarity with the Robot Framework and Ansible integration.
• Knowledge of F5, A10, Fortinet or Juniper SRX appliances.
• Experience with MAB, 802.1X, NAC, port security, QoS and IPsec.
• Knowledge of AWS or Azure networking.
• Experience with network hardening, DDoS mitigation and routing-protocol security.
• Previous experience supporting large enterprise or financial-services networks.

Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a senior network engineer who has designed and tested complex Cisco and Arista environments in a network lab. The candidate should combine deep routing and switching knowledge with Python/Ansible automation, network security validation and modern Kubernetes networking experience.