Network Switch Platform Test Engineer (PoE & Automation)

Overview

Validate networking switch platforms through functional, regression, interoperability and reliability testing, with a focus on PoE and test automation.

What you'll do

• Validate networking switch platforms through functional, regression, interoperability, and reliability testing.
• Design and execute PoE tests covering IEEE 802.3af/at/bt behavior, power negotiation, classification, allocation, power budgets, multi-port stress, and overload scenarios.
• Test copper and fiber interfaces across product-supported speeds, from multi-rate and 100 Mb/s through 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G and, where applicable, higher rates up to 800G.
• Validate link bring-up and recovery, auto-negotiation, FEC, channelization, MTU, VLAN, and LACP.
• Measure throughput, latency, packet loss, and interface error behavior.
• Validate platform and chassis behavior, including hardware bring-up, packet path, LEDs, route-engine behavior, boot/BIOS, and memory subsystems, as applicable.
• Translate market, hardware, and software requirements into test plans and Python automation for new features, typically within a few days.
• Maintain feature test automation and integrate suites into CI/CD pipelines where applicable.
• Analyze failures using logs, packet captures, counters, and platform diagnostics; work with development teams to identify root causes.
• Collaborate across hardware, firmware, and software teams to define coverage for new features and releases.
• Prepare test reports, defect summaries, and release quality metrics.
• Explore practical AI-assisted workflows that improve engineering efficiency and test delivery.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience testing networking products, platforms, switches, interfaces, PoE, or closely related networking systems.
• Relevant platform testing on adjacent networking products, such as routing or security platforms, is also applicable.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and how networks operate.
• Hands-on Python test automation, including the ability to translate feature specifications into repeatable tests and adapt scripts as requirements change.
• This role focuses on feature test automation; deep ownership of a standalone tooling platform is not required.
• Demonstrated technical depth in at least one relevant area, such as PoE, interfaces/optics, or platform/chassis validation.
• The complementary area can be learned on the job; experience in both is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of Linux, shell scripting, and Git.
• Strong debugging and communication skills in hardware/software integrated environments.
• Willingness to work in a hybrid, lab-dependent environment and attend the office more than two days in a week when business or testing needs require it.

Nice to have

• Experience across both PoE and interface/optics validation, including PoE standards, certification workflows, and power measurement setups.
• Knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features such as VLAN, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LACP, QoS, IGMP, and routing basics.
• EVPN/EVPN-VXLAN familiarity is useful.
• Familiarity with pytest or unittest, API/CLI automation, log parsing, and CI/CD integration.
• Experience with traffic generators such as IXIA, Spirent, TRex, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with SNMP, NETCONF/RESTCONF, gNMI, or telemetry validation.
• Experience with campus topologies, interoperability testing, and enterprise endpoints such as IP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE devices.
• Practical use of AI-assisted engineering workflows.

Details

• Location: Bengaluru, Karnātaka, India.
• Hybrid: on average 2 days per week from an HPE office.
• Job level: TCP_02; job family: Engineering.