Senior Network Test Engineer

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Senior Network Test Engineer for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Financial Services clients in New York, NY.

Responsibilities:

• Testing and certifying network hardware to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and compliance. This role is crucial for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the organization's network infrastructure.
• The successful candidate should have hands-on experience in functional testing, with the ability to identify automation opportunities and develop automated test solutions. Mid-level Python and Ansible skills are required to create, maintain, and enhance test automation workflows, improve test coverage, and increase operational efficiency.
• A combination of networking expertise, Linux proficiency, automation skills, Kubernetes operations, and eBPF observability to design, test, automate, and operate modern enterprises and cloud-native network infrastructures at scale.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity principles, CVE analysis, and network risk assessment. Ability to evaluate vulnerabilities, assess operational and business risk, and support remediation, patch certification, and security validation activities across enterprise network platforms.
• This individual's focus will be on lab testing and certifications with particular focus on the campus/ branch/ WAN-MAN/ Data Center/ Low latency/ limited interoperability with network appliances (firewalls/ load balancers)
• Rapid certification of patches/ SMU/ codes – with particular focus but not limited to - Risk/ CVE driven events and rapid need for targeted & expedited certifications to ensure the given patch/ SMU/ code can be safely applied on production devices.
• Interoperability with IP appliances like F5/ A10/ Fortinet/ SRX Load balancers and firewalls (MAB/ 802.1x, firewall & load balancers experience not necessary but a plus).
• Proficiency with tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, and Git, and the ability to develop automation using Python, Ansible, APIs, and Infrastructure-as-Code techniques.
• Develop and design testing for various network hardware, including routers, switches.
• Conduct Performance Tests: Perform performance tests to evaluate the functionality, speed, and reliability of network hardware.
• Identify Issues: Detect and diagnose any hardware malfunctions, performance issues, or compatibility problems during testing.
• Document and present recommendations and finding to the wider teams, including testing results and certifications.
• Work on engineering standards and create best practice network documentation utilizing knowledge of industry and technical trends.
• Providing guidance to the wider teams related to platforms and designs
  • This includes but is not limited to evaluating vendor offerings, collaborating with internal and external peers towards innovating, and becoming also responsible for the software and hardware testing of all future code releases and drive decisions about testing improvements.
• Creating and updating standards and configuration templates, tracking bugs and vulnerabilities and providing expert level support of the production environment.
• Heavily engage with vendors to research, understand and communicate industry trends and upcoming products & features of interest and benefit to the BUs.
• The Ideal candidate is one that has prior worked on network engineering designs and testing plus evaluated products within a network lab; but not a must.
• The position is in NY, requires on site presence 3 – 4 days weekly.

Required Skills:

• Senior level, experienced, can lead projects and work independently.
• 8+ years of experience required with extensive experience with LAN/WAN network design, engineering, and code/ feature certification/ validation.
• Experience with testing design and certification of products in LAB environments is highly desirable.
• CCIE or at a min CCNP level experience.
• Demonstrate knowledge of working with protocols such as OSPF, BGP, IGMP and PIM.
• Experience with Cisco Platforms such as Catalyst and Nexus.
• Knowledge of certification of new code, and bug Scrubs on IOS/ XE/ NXOS/ and limited XR.
• Good foundation in Linux administration, networking, and automation.
• Cloud-native networking concepts, including Kubernetes architecture, container networking (CNI), and operational tools such as kubectl.
• Familiarity with eBPF-based networking and security, particularly platforms such as Cilium is major plus. This includes policy enforcement, observability, service load balancing, BGP integration, and troubleshooting using eBPF maps and kernel-level telemetry
• Good knowledge of Python, Github.
• Ansible playbooks authoring and how to integrate Ansible with ROBOT framework for seamless automation is beneficial.
• Some proficiency in the ROBOT Framework is a big plus
• Experience with Arista Platforms such as 7280, 7504, 7060 etc.
• Experience developing strategies with multiple vendors.
• Experienced with creating design documents for each certification which includes engineering guidelines.
• Experience with Tools such as IXIA and / or Spirent to test and certify various designs and troubleshoot networks issues.
• Excellent knowledge of IP Routing, BGP, OSPF, and layer2 protocols like Spanning-tree.
• Understanding of network protocols, network platforms such as Cisco/Arista to design and troubleshoot new implementations.
• Good protocol level understanding/ Wireshark.
• Multicast: IGMPv2/3, PIM-SM, Static RP, RP-Anycast, MSDP.
• IP Routing Platforms, ISR4k, ASR1K, Catalyst.
• Cisco/ Arista Switching Platforms Catalyst switches.
• Strong knowledge of Switching and Switching mechanisms like CEF, TCAM.
• Manage vendors, coordinate testing and evaluate PoC.
• Possess ability to quickly and effectively interpret data.
• Possess ability to perform very complex implementations with little or no guidance and/or oversight from a project manager.
• Ability to work independently and within a global testing team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a strong must - candidate must possess excellent business writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to prioritize effectively with good time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong logical and analytical skills
• Deep sense of ownership/accountability / must think as an owner and be proactive is a huge must
• Ability to move quickly and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Stakeholder management and providing reports and overviews to both technical and non-technical senior management.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with MAB/ Port Security/ NAC/ 802.1x/ QoS/ IPSec is desirable.
• Understanding of new protocols being deployed intra and inter Data Center.
• AWS (or Azure cloud equivalent) is desirable.
• Data Center power and cooling, cabling 10/ 25G/ 40G/ 50G/ 100G.
• Cloud computing, Virtualization industry standard and trends, server technologies a plus.
• Router hardening technologies, DDoS mitigation, routing protocol encryption, SSH implementation, out-of-band network design, 802.1x, NAC, IPSec.
• L2 and L3 QoS are a plus.

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SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at https://sgainc.com/ .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company EEO page to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.

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