System Integration & Validation Test Engineer

Job Title:

System Integration & Test Engineer (Optical Transport Networks)

Job Description

This role focuses on system integration and validation testing for next-generation optical transport platforms. You will help build a North American test and validation function from the ground up, working closely with a global engineering team. The position combines hands-on lab work, Python-based test automation, and system-level validation across chassis-based networking systems, including controllers, line cards, and the management plane. The primary focus is on validating overall system behavior and management interfaces rather than photonics research and development.

Responsibilities

+ Perform system-level integration and validation testing on optical networking platforms, including chassis-based systems with controllers and line cards.

+ Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, and validation strategies to ensure robust system performance and reliability.

+ Build, enhance, and maintain Python-based test automation frameworks and scripts to improve test coverage and efficiency.

+ Validate management interfaces such as CLI, APIs, gRPC, NETCONF, and SNMP, ensuring they operate reliably and meet design requirements.

+ Execute regression testing and support continuous integration workflows to maintain system quality across software releases.

+ Troubleshoot hardware-software integration issues in lab environments, identifying root causes across hardware, software, and configuration layers.

+ Analyze system behavior across multiple network layers, including Layer 1 through Layer 3 and the management plane, to ensure end-to-end performance.

+ Support failure scenarios, resilience testing, and recovery validation to verify protection mechanisms and system robustness.

+ Collaborate closely with global engineering teams, including offshore counterparts, to align on test strategies, share findings, and resolve issues.

+ Help establish test processes, infrastructure, tools, and best practices for a growing validation team in North America.

+ Contribute to defining and evolving the overall testing strategy for next-generation optical networking platforms.

+ Participate in lab bring-up activities for new systems and features, ensuring readiness for broader deployment.

+ Document test procedures, results, and issues clearly to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

+ Proven experience in system-level test and validation within telecom or networking environments.

+ Hands-on exposure to optical networking or transport systems such as DWDM, OTN, or similar technologies.

+ Strong experience testing management interfaces, including CLI, APIs, NETCONF, SNMP, and gRPC.

+ Proficiency in Python for test automation, including writing scripts and developing or extending automation frameworks.

+ Experience working in Linux or embedded system environments for testing and troubleshooting.

+ Experience in integration testing, regression testing, and test case development for complex systems.

+ Hands-on experience working in lab environments with physical hardware systems and test equipment.

+ Ability to troubleshoot and differentiate between hardware, software, and configuration issues in complex network systems.

+ Familiarity with analyzing system behavior across network layers (Layer 1 to Layer 3 and the management plane).

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with optical components such as EDFA, WSS, OCM, and OTDR.

+ Familiarity with optical performance metrics, including BER, OSNR, Q-factor, and power levels.

+

Experience with resilience testing and protection switching in network systems.

+ Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and Dev Ops practices using tools such as Git Lab and automated regression frameworks.

+

Experience with chassis-based systems or transponder platforms supporting high-speed optics such as 100G, 400G, or 800G.

+ Prior experience working in early-stage or build-from-scratch team environments where processes and infrastructure are being defined.

+ Knowledge of TCP/IP and Ethernet networking concepts in the context of optical transport systems.

+ Interest in working on cutting-edge optical networking platforms and contributing to a newly formed validation function.

+ Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with globally distributed engineering teams.

Work Environment

The role is initially lab-heavy, with a strong emphasis on hands-on system bring-up, integration, and validation using physical hardware and test equipment. You will work with high-speed optical systems and networking technologies in a structured lab setting. As the infrastructure and processes mature, the position will transition to a hybrid or remote work model, offering increased flexibility while maintaining access to lab resources as needed.

You will have the opportunity to help define test processes, tools, and workflows for the North American validation function, contributing to a culture of ownership,…