Senior Network Hardware Test Engineer

Oracle•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

This role involves managing a lab environment, including build, inventory, and vendor relations. The engineer will maintain and execute test procedures for functional, performance, and stress testing of networking hardware. Key responsibilities include system-level validation of Ethernet switches, optical interconnects, and integrated systems, analyzing complex test data, producing technical reports, and presenting findings. The position requires diagnosing and resolving complex hardware issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams for product delivery, and improving validation methodologies, automation frameworks, and lab infrastructure. The role also involves validating compliance with industry standards and supporting product roadmaps.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on experience in optical transceiver testing, quality assurance, or a related field, with demonstrated ownership of complex testing and validation activities
Experience using optical test equipment, including optical spectrum analyzers (OSA), bit error rate testers (BERT), and optical power meters
Experience validating high-speed data transmission technologies, including 10G, 40G, 100G, 400G, 800G and 1.6T.
Strong background in the validation and qualification of networking hardware, particularly Ethernet switches and other high-speed platforms
Hands-on experience testing and debugging optical modules, transceivers, and fiber-optic connections
Deep understanding of bit error rate analysis, link stability, and signal integrity
Experience developing test automation and scalable validation frameworks
8 years of experience in Network Engineering or related field OR Bachelor's of Technology (B.Tech) Degree/Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field AND 4 years of experience in network Engineering OR Master's of Technology (M.Tech) Degree/Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field AND 2 year of experience in nework engineering or related field. OR Doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
Network hardware, optics, and optical line systems test/validation.
Test design and execution, defect tracking, and basic test automation.
Troubleshooting and root cause analysis across optical, PHY, MAC, and forwarding layers.
Performance metrics analysis and quality management for hardware releases.
Structured cabling design/deployment and data center operations familiarity.
Vendor management basics; RMA and SLA adherence.
Scripting for test capture, version control, and lab instrumentation proficiency.
Security and compliance awareness for hardware handling and data security.

Nice To Haves

8 years of experience in Network Engineering or related field OR Bachelor's of Technology (B.Tech) Degree/Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field AND 4 years of experience in network Engineering OR Master's of Technology (M.Tech) Degree/Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field AND 2 year of experience in nework engineering or related field. OR Doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.

Responsibilities

Manage the lab, lab build, hardware inventory, vendors.
Maintain test procedures, including functional, performance, and stress testing.
Perform system-level validation across functional, performance, stress and reliability testing of networking hardware platforms, including Ethernet switches, optical interconnects, and integrated systems.
Analyze complex test data, produce clear technical reports, and present findings to stakeholders.
Diagnose and resolve complex hardware issues, including BER failures, link instability, and signal integrity challenges.
Collaborate with hardware design, firmware, manufacturing, and operations teams to support high-quality product delivery.
Improve validation methodologies, automation frameworks, and lab infrastructure.
Validate compliance with industry standards, interoperability requirements, and cloud deployment specifications.
Own validation deliverables, schedules, dependencies, and risk identification across assigned programs.
Translates component-level requirements into clear testable acceptance criteria.
Contributes data on field performance and inventory health to roadmap discussions.
Documents environmental and operational constraints for site and region use.
Executes qualification plans for routers, switches, optics (e.g., 100/400/800G), OLS, timing, and cabling.
Performs interoperability testing across vendors and software versions; logs and triages defects.
Validates performance metrics (throughput, BER/FEC, latency, power draw) against targets.
Collects price/power/thermals data to support make/buy and SKU selection decisions.
Tracks vendor SLAs and RMA trends; escalates non-conformance with evidence.
Supports alternate-source evaluations to reduce single-supplier risk.
Follows lab safety, change control, and security handling procedures.
Runs repeatable test procedures and captures objective evidence for audits.
Verifies BOM accuracy, labeling, and regulatory marks prior to release.
Prepares release packets (test results, known issues, mitigations) for operational handoff.
Executes A/B or pilot deployments in labs; documents rollback criteria.
Performs root cause analysis on field returns and drives corrective actions.
Maintains dashboards for failure modes, MTBF/FRU rates, and burn-in results.
Proposes minor process/tooling improvements to reduce qualification cycle time.
Contributes to knowledge base articles and standard operating procedures.
Independently manages work, monitoring timelines and deliverables to ensure projects or initiatives stay on track and meet requirements. Proactively prioritizes work and adapts to resource or timeline shifts, suggesting adjustments to maintain project efficiency.
Collaborates across teams to align on expectations and achieve shared objectives. Builds and maintains a comprehensive understanding of business, stakeholder, and/or customer needs to build and support effective partnerships. Actively listens to diverse perspectives and asks questions to ensure understanding of others.
Independently identifies and addresses standard and non-standard issues in accordance with standard practices, escalating more complex issues as appropriate. Analyzes data and/or information from multiple sources to troubleshoot standard and non-standard errors. Contributes to knowledge sharing and best practices.
Embraces continuous learning by actively seeking to build knowledge and new skills and/or tools, and staying current with industry trends and best practices. Seeks out and leverages feedback and training to improve skills. Contributes to a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing with team members.
Develops ideas and recommends updates to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of processes, protocols, and workflows within a team. Seeks input from team members on alternative approaches and methods for improving work.