Software Engineer- Software Test Engineer – IOS XR | Python Automation | L0/L1 Optical Testing 8 - 10 years
Cisco · Posted Nov 3
Networking, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT infrastructure services
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About the role
The Cisco IOS XR Routing Test Team validates carrier-grade routing platforms across platform infrastructure, optics, Layer 0/1, routing, subscriber-management, and network-service technologies for service providers and hyperscalers. This role owns quality validation for IOS XR platform infrastructure and optical L0/L1 features, designing test strategies, building Python-based automation, and validating complex customer scenarios. It also involves investigating system-level failures, integrating tests into CI/CD, and providing data-driven release recommendations.
What you will do
- Design and implement functional, system, regression, scale, performance, interoperability, resiliency, and high-availability tests for IOS XR routing – Platform Infra/Optics, L0/L1 test features.
- Develop reusable and scalable test automation using Python and frameworks such as pyATS, Genie, or equivalent tools.
- Build and maintain physical, virtual, containerized, and cloud-based test environments using Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, clustering technologies, VMware, OpenStack, and network simulation platforms.
- Solve complex issues using IOS XR logs, protocol traces, packet captures, telemetry, RADIUS transactions, crash information, and system-resource data.
- Validate model-driven interfaces and telemetry using YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, gRPC, OpenConfig, and native IOS XR models.
- Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, version control, and regression testing.
- Use approved AI coding assistants and engineering agents for test generation, automation development, log analysis, defect triage, and documentation.
- Apply foundational knowledge of generative AI, AI agents, MCPs, reusable AI skills, prompt and context management, and responsible validation of AI-generated output.
- Collaborate across engineering teams, review test designs and automation code, mentor junior engineers, and communicate product-quality risks and release readiness.
- Work on Network automation, algorithmic thinking and Analytics applications derived from customer use cases
- Strong in Software engineering test methodology and process knowledge
Skills used in this role
What the employer is looking for
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical field.
- Eight or more years of experience in software engineering, network product testing, test automation, or quality engineering.
- Experience configuring and solving Cisco IOS XR or another carrier-grade network operating system.
- Advanced Python programming skills for test automation, scripting, API interaction, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
- Experience developing system, scale, performance, resiliency, and high-availability test scenarios.
- Strong Linux or Unix skills and experience with Git, code reviews, debugging, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Working knowledge of cloud, containerization, virtualization, and clustering technologies, including Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, and OpenStack.
- Familiarity with AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot or equivalent tools.
- Basic understanding of generative AI, AI agents, MCP, reusable skills, and responsible AI practices.
- Strong knowledge of software development life cycle.
- Strong analytical, solving, communication, and multi-functional collaboration skills.
- Deep understanding of customer deployments, operations and the ability to translate brown field/green field deployments into test strategy with high efficacy
- Quick learner with an open mind to "grey box" testing, bringing in strategic on-the-box, off-the-box views that reflect the state of IOS-XR systems.
- Experience in test engineering concepts and methodologies including test planning, test case design, test execution and test automation
- Excellent experience in Layer-0, Layer-1 traffic generators and analysers (e.g. Viavi, Agilent, Spirent, IXIA, etc.)
- Strong written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills
- Results oriented with a high degree of accountability, dedication and responsibility
- Industry certification such as CCNA/CCNP/CCIE/JCNA/JCIE will be a huge plus
Preferred qualifications
- Experience testing Optical and routing capabilities on Cisco IOS XR platforms such as Cisco 8000, ASR 9000, NCS 5500/5700 and NCS1K
- Experience with traffic generators and subscriber-simulation tools such as IXIA or Spirent or Viavi or JDSU.
- Strong knowledge of Layer 0 , Layer 1 testing along with platform & optics test skills.
- Experience with Datapath, model-driven telemetry, and network programmability.
- Familiarity with scale and performance characterization.
Benefits and support
- Compensation and benefits are detailed in the job posting
About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a worldwide leader in IT, networking, and cybersecurity solutions that transform how people connect, communicate, and collaborate. The company specializes in routing, switching, data center infrastructure, and software-defined networking designed for enterprises of all sizes. Today, Cisco drives major advancements in AI infrastructure, observability, and secure hybrid work platforms.
- Industry
- Networking
- Company size
- 90000+ employees
- Founded
- 1984
- Location
- San Jose, California, USA
- Funding stage
- Public Company
Leadership
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Product Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer
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