Principal Engineer, Global Labs

Calix•Richardson, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Calix provides the cloud, software platforms, systems and services required for communications service providers to simplify their businesses, excite their subscribers and grow their value. Reporting to Director of Global Labs, the Principal Eng serves as the central point of Technical Leadership driving integration of Lab Network and Infrastructure Design. Candidate will work closely with Lab Engineers / Technicians as well as internal Development and Test functions to ensure seamless collaboration, optimal resource utilization, and translating user requirements in alignment with established strategic priorities and goals. The candidate should possess a strong background in data center architecture and network engineering with proven leadership and project management capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, or related field.
10+ years of experience in Telecommunication product validation, tools and lab infrastructure architecture.
5+ years of experience at the Architect level driving innovation into globally distributed teams and highly complex Product Validation environments
In-depth exposure to test and validation of Networking products, including test strategy development, testbed design and management, and test cycles.
Strong knowledge of networking protocols (L2/L3, EVPN, DHCP, NAT, DNS).
Understand the overall EVPN spine leaf architecture and data center / enterprise network functionalities.
Test and Automation skills in core scripting disciplines (bash, perl, python etc)
Networking layers 1-7 with Voice, Video and High-volume data preferred.
Knowledge of power standards and limitations in AC and DC distribution.
Experience with Calix products or similar ONT/OLT architectures.
Experience with Cisco and Juniper network equipment.
Experience with Telecommunication Test Traffic Generation tools
Familiarity with DCIM tools, CMDBs, and asset tracking platforms.
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Proven ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work under deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of power and cooling systems, EPMS platforms, and high-availability solutions.
Experience with virtualization technologies (VMware, OpenSource tools).
DEV-OPS skills in networking a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Primary Technical Lead and coordinator for Global Labs infrastructure activities and initiatives.
Align lab network and design engineering efforts with outlined goals and technical roadmaps.
Define and maintain the Global Labs infrastructure architecture, including network topology, equipment layout, and power / cooling strategies.
Lead cross-functional planning sessions with Lab Management, System Administrators, Development and Test Engineers, and Technicians.
Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., BICSI, RCDD) and internal policies.
Monitor and guide the execution of lab network and design projects.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across lab operations.
Provide architectural guidance on EVPN, VXLAN, PON, and other advanced networking technologies.
Support troubleshooting and escalation for complex infrastructure issues.
Evaluate and recommend tools for monitoring, automation, and asset management (e.g., Netbox, SolarWinds, ServiceNow).
Facilitate communication across global teams and time zones.
Represent lab architecture in technical forums.
Coordinate and participate in lab visits, audits, and in-person meetings as needed.