We are seeking an experienced and skilled Network Testing Lab Infrastructure Lead to oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of our network testing laboratory environment. This role will be responsible for managing the lab infrastructure, coordinating testing activities, and ensuring the lab environment accurately simulates real-world network conditions for thorough testing and validation of network technologies and solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the network testing lab infrastructure, including hardware, software, and virtualized environments.

• Develop and maintain lab architecture blueprints, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and alignment with current and future testing needs.

• Oversee the procurement, installation, and configuration of network equipment and testing tools in the lab environment.

• Manage and coordinate lab resources, including scheduling and prioritizing lab usage for various testing projects.

• Collaborate with network engineers, developers, and QA teams to understand testing requirements and design appropriate lab setups.

• Implement and maintain automation frameworks for lab provisioning, configuration, and test execution.

• Ensure the lab environment accurately simulates production network conditions and scenarios.

• Develop and enforce lab usage policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Troubleshoot complex issues within the lab environment and provide technical support to lab users.

• Stay current with emerging network technologies and testing methodologies, incorporating them into the lab environment as appropriate.

• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers for lab equipment and tools.

• Work closely with the facilities team to ensure the network test lab has appropriate power, cooling, and environmental controls to support uninterrupted operations. This includes overseeing HVAC systems, power distributions systems and redundancy, and ensuring compliance with safety standards including lockout/tagout execution.

• Provide regular reports on lab utilization, performance, and improvement recommendations to management. Mentor and guide junior lab engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience

• 10 years of related work experience 

• TS/SCI w/ poly is required

• Strong expertise in network protocols, technologies, and industry standards

• Hands-on experience with a wide range of network equipment and testing tools

• Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Python, Ansible, Bash)

• Experience with virtualization technologies and software-defined networking

• Experience with lab management software and tools for tracking and documenting testing processes.

• Strong understanding of network security principles and testing methodologies

• Demonstrated experience working with HVAC systems, power management, and facilities teams to ensure optimal test lab conditions.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills

• Strong leadership and team management abilities

• Excellent communication and documentation skills

Desired:  

• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent are preferred

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices