Network Infrastructure Test Engineer

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Network Infrastructure Test Engineer to support the delivery and assurance of complex network, infrastructure and connectivity programmes.

The role will be responsible for designing, preparing and executing network infrastructure test activities across a broad technology estate, including routers, switches, firewalls, LAN/Wi-Fi, data centres, SD-WAN, fixed connectivity, mobility, telephony, unified communications, cloud, IoT and security.

The successful candidate will work closely with Test Managers, delivery teams, solution architects, network engineers and other technical stakeholders to ensure solutions meet defined requirements and are ready for operational use.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed test scripts from Test Plans, High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) for network infrastructure, including routers, switches and firewalls.
• Execute test cases across a broad technology estate covering hosting, data centres, LAN/Wi-Fi, SD-WAN, fixed connectivity, mobility, telephony, UC, cloud, IoT, security and service transition.
• Support multiple testing phases, including:
• Unit Testing
• System Integration Testing (SIT)
• Functional Testing
• Non-Functional Testing
• Disaster Recovery Testing
• Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT)
• Import and manage test cases within ALM, ensuring appropriate linkage between test cases and requirements to maintain full requirements traceability.
• Capture and maintain test execution evidence to the required standard for milestone sign-off, governance and audit purposes.
• Report test execution progress, defects, risks and outcomes using ALM and other approved test management and reporting tools.
• Raise, track, manage and retest defects, working collaboratively with delivery, design and engineering teams to achieve resolution within agreed project milestones.
• Configure and operate network test equipment, including equipment used for RFC 2544 throughput, latency and frame-loss testing.
• Undertake physical network activities within data centre environments, including fibre optic cabling and compliance with relevant data centre operating procedures.
• Interpret network infrastructure designs, including HLDs and LLDs, and translate technical requirements into executable test scenarios and test cases.
• Use network and service management tools to validate service behaviour, performance and availability.
• Support test environment preparation, smoke testing, connectivity checks and readiness assessments ahead of formal test execution windows.
• Attend designated operational locations and customer sites where required by project scope, while also supporting wider test team activities remotely or from programme locations.
• Provide accurate and timely status updates for daily and weekly test reporting, governance meetings and defect triage sessions.
• Escalate blockers, risks and critical issues promptly to the Test Manager in accordance with programme governance and proactive management processes.
• Comply with organisational security policies, data handling requirements, access controls and audit-logging obligations.
• Contribute reusable test cases, scripts, evidence templates and other test assets to the wider test library.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including test automation, asset reuse and AI-assisted test design where appropriate.
• Support knowledge transfer, onboarding of new team members and continuity during resource transitions without impacting agreed project test plans or milestones.

Technical Scope & Domain Coverage

The role will support testing across a broad network, infrastructure and technology service estate, including:

• Hosting
• LAN and Wi-Fi
• Data Centre infrastructure
• Service Transition
• SD-WAN
• Telephony
• Unified Communications
• Mobile and private network services
• Cloud platforms and connectivity
• IoT
• Fixed Connectivity
• Mobility
• Cloud and Security

Testing Phases

Experience across the following test phases is required:

• Unit Testing
• System Integration Testing (SIT)
• Functional Testing
• Non-Functional Testing
• Disaster Recovery Testing
• Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT)

Technical Responsibilities

• Hands-on testing of network infrastructure, including routers, switches and firewalls.
• Ability to use Cisco switch and router console commands for troubleshooting, configuration validation and test execution.
• Working within data centre environments and following relevant operational and safety procedures.
• Physical layer activities, including fibre optic handling and connectivity validation.
• Configuration and operation of network test equipment for performance testing, including RFC 2544.
• Test case management, requirements traceability, execution tracking and defect management using ALM.
• Use of network and service management tools to validate network and service behaviour.

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' relevant testing experience within network, infrastructure or telecommunications environments.
• Proven experience in telecommunications and/or network infrastructure testing.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of network infrastructure, including routers, switches and firewalls.
• Competence using Cisco switch and router console commands.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs).
• Proven experience with ALM-based test case management, requirements traceability, defect management and test reporting.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, with proficient Excel skills mandatory.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong time management, organisation and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within structured project governance and milestone-driven delivery environments.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Practical experience with RFC 2544 testing, including throughput, latency and frame-loss testing.
• Experience configuring and operating network performance test equipment.
• Experience with StableNet or comparable network/service management platforms.
• Experience working within critical national infrastructure (CNI) or similarly regulated environments.
• Exposure to SD-WAN testing programmes.
• Experience testing cloud and security infrastructure.
• Experience testing telephony and Unified Communications environments.
• Awareness of test automation and experience contributing to reusable or automated test assets.
• Experience working within large-scale transformation, infrastructure or network delivery programmes.

Certifications & Qualifications

• ISTQB Foundation certification – preferred.
• Relevant networking certification, such as CCNA – desirable.
• Relevant professional or technical accreditation appropriate to the role and project environment.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in network infrastructure, testing or related technologies is desirable.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A methodical and detail-oriented approach to testing.
• Strong ownership and accountability for assigned test activities.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with technical and project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive approach to identifying risks, blockers and potential defects.
• Strong documentation and evidence-management discipline.
• The ability to work effectively under project deadlines and within formal governance frameworks.
• A commitment to quality, security and continuous improvement.