Lab Engineer, Lab Operations
About The Position
Cisco Validated Infrastructure Services (CVIS) establishes and proves the performance of large AI clusters before they are handed over to customers. We deploy each cluster, validate it against performance baselines, and deliver the evidence that it is ready for service. The platform behind that work is full-stack. It combines workflow and API services, network and infrastructure automation, and the UI used to run validation across labs and customer environments. As a Lab Engineer you will provide technical expertise and support for Linux, Windows, and Virtual environments operating in advanced engineering labs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong foundation in systems administration, basic networking, and virtualization, coupled with an innovative mindset and passion for solving complex problems. This position involves collaborating within a dynamic, Agile-driven team to deliver high-quality results while maintaining lab environments that are safe, compliant, and aligned with Cisco standards.
Requirements
- Bachelors + 2 years of related experience, or Masters + 0 years of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.
- 2 + years of experience working within a Lab environment or Datacenter environment as a Systems Admin, Systems Engineer or Lab Engineer.
- Experience working with Linux or other Linux based operating systems such as RHEL/Ubuntu and Windows operating systems.
- Working experience with auto-mounters and communication protocols: NFS, TFTP, FTP, SSH, SCP, DNS, LISP, NIS+. TCP/IP, subnetting, routing protocols, Ethernet media.
- Experience with LAN switching and configuration of VLAN’s and Spanning Tree Protocol.
Nice To Haves
- Cisco certification: CCNA or CCNP, CCIE certification considered a plus.
- Proficient understanding of Active Directory (AD) and the capability to diagnose issues with Linux AD integrations using Vintela.
- Good communication and collaboration skills to work across multiple GLS teams, with local clients and leaders, and with partner organizations (Cisco IT, WPR, Security & Trust Org (STO), etc.)
- Knowledge of KVM, Openstack, Docker and ESXi.
- Knowledge of scripting and web services: Python, Bash Shell, Apache, NGINX
- Knowledge of networking monitoring tools: Nagios, Zabbix, Wireshark
Responsibilities
- Execute physical deployments and install server hardware for high-performance GPU cluster.
- Organize racks and structured network cabling to support reliable, efficient operations.
- Monitor power consumption, cooling performance, and thermal conditions in data center and lab environments.
- Identify issues that could cause hardware throttling during intensive AI model training.
- Track critical equipment and maintain inventory of hardware, optical transceivers, network cabling, and spare components to support timely maintenance and minimize cluster downtime.
Benefits
- medical, dental and vision insurance
- a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
- paid parental leave
- short and long-term disability coverage
- basic life insurance
- Cisco restricted stock units
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
- 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
- paid year-end holiday shutdown
- 4 paid days off for personal wellness
- 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (non-exempt)
- flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
- up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
- annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
- performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
