Sr. Test Engineer

Description

The Sr. Test Engineer is responsible for verifying new releases of broadband network products, including OLTs, ONTs, and EMS, covering both hardware and software, before deployment to field sales and production. A variety of tests are conducted to validate conformance to requirements, performance, and readiness for customer deployment.

In addition to regression and feature testing, the engineer is also responsible for reproducing field-reported issues in a lab environment, reporting findings to the R&D team, and verifying fixes once they are implemented.

Product defects identified during testing are documented in a Product System Test spreadsheet and submitted to the ODM. Once testing is substantially complete, the test team issues a System Test Recommendation. This recommendation, along with the list of unresolved defects, is reviewed by a cross-functional team to determine whether the release is acceptable for initial shipment to customers.

• Execute test plans and document results during the product validation cycle.
• Review and understand GPON standards, RFCs, recommendations, and specification documents, including Product Overview, Requirements, Operational Specs, and NMS Specs.
• Perform product testing and report results to management.
• Ensure all assigned test cases are executed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Ensure resolved defects are verified promptly.
• Escalate issues that are not resolved within a reasonable timeframe or that adversely impact the System Test cycle to the test leader.
• Make customer‑focused recommendations when products are submitted for official release.
• Perform testing from a customer perspective, including test environment design, result evaluation, and setting release criteria.
• Conduct customer‑level testing, integrating products into real‑world scenarios to assess reliability, stability, and quality.
• Provide development and management teams with the necessary information to improve product quality and assess release risks.
• Assist the field support engineers in troubleshooting and reproducing potential software or hardware defects.
• At the end of a test cycle, issue a release recommendation to the manager outlining the testing performed and any outstanding issues.
• Ensure increased test coverage, consistency, and efficiency.
• Thoroughly validate automated test systems to ensure the accuracy of collected data.

• Strong knowledge of networking, TCP/IP, and Layer 2/3 switching.
• Experience with optical fiber, IP network test equipment, and OLT/ONTs.
• Solid understanding of OMCI, SIP, MGCP, H.248, router functions, and GPON.
• Strong background in broadband technologies, including GigE, Voice, and Broadband deployments.
• Proficient in SNMP and TR-069.
• Familiarity with Residential Gateway (RG) features such as NAT, PPPoE, DDNS, etc.
• Working knowledge of Linux systems and virtual machines such as Virtual Box or VMware, including both usage and administration.
• Experience in test automation and basic understanding of Python.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

• Broad knowledge and influence across Datacom products, services, and networks.
• Familiarity with DZS and competitor products relevant to current and future business.
• Capable of contributing to large and complex projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Self‑starter and team player with a goal‑oriented mindset.
• Flexible and able to collaborate effectively with design engineers and test leaders.

• Proficiency in MS Office, Visio, and other general productivity tools.
• Able to create test scripts using terminal programs such as Tera Term, Xshell, or Secure
  
  CRT.
• Comfortable working with virtual machine environments such as Virtual Box or VMware.
• Preferred:
  Test background; network support experience also considered.

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S./B.E.) or equivalent experience in a related field, preferably in Telecommunications Engineering or Computer Science.
• Preferred certifications:
  Linux Professional Certification (LPIC), ISTQB Foundation Level (Professional Tester Certification).

• Minimum of 9 years QA/test experience, preferably in networking/telecom.
• Experience in multi‑vendor telecom environments highly desirable.
• Previous employment at companies such as Nokia/ALU, Cisco, or ZTE is considered an asset.