Staff Engineer, Solutions Automation

Staff Automation Test Engineer SMx (NMS) Test Automation

We are seeking an experiencedStaff Engineerto leadSolution Test Automationfor ourNetwork Management System (SMx)application. The ideal candidate has12 yearsof experience in software test automation (especially in NMS and networking domains) expertise innetworkingandfibre optics technology and is proficient with modern GUI test automation frameworks (Robot Framework PYART Playwright or similar AI-driven tools). You will drive complex test automation projects mentor junior engineers and champion process and technology improvements to enhance product quality and team efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Automation Leadership:Design develop andautomate end-to-end solution test casesfor a complex NMS GUI application (SMx) ensuring comprehensive coverage of networking and fiber-optic features.
• Framework Development:Leverage frameworks likeRobot Framework PYART Playwright(or equivalent) to build robust maintainable automated test suites for GUI and API testing. Evaluate and incorporate innovative AI-based GUI testing tools to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Project Ownership:Drive the test automation projectlifecycle from planning test strategies and environments to execution and results analysis. Ensure timely deliverables and alignment of test plans with product requirements and release timelines.
• Mentorship & Team Collaboration:Mentor and guide junior automation engineers. Conduct code reviews provide technical guidance and foster best practices in the team. Collaborate closely with developers product managers and other QA teams to clarify requirements and triage issues.
• Quality Improvement:Continuously analyze testing processes and outcomes to identify gaps. Propose and implementimprovements in methodologies tools and frameworksto enhance test coverage efficiency and reliability. Champion quality initiatives such as CI/CD test integration advanced metrics and smarter test data management.
• Domain Expertise Application:Utilize deep knowledge of networking protocols and fiber optics to create realistic test scenarios (e.g. simulating network topologies simulating customer use cases with network management system) and to troubleshoot complex issues related to network management and optical communication within the product.

Required Qualifications

• Experience:12 yearsof hands-on experience in softwaretest automation and quality assurance with significant focus onnetwork management systems (NMS)or similar complex enterprise applications. Progressively responsible roles in test automation (lead or architect level) are expected.
• Domain Expertise:Strong background in thenetworking domain solid understanding of L2/L3 networking protocol concepts(OSPF BGP ISIS VLAN VRF) protocols (Ethernet TCP/IP SNMP etc.) and network devices.Experience with fibre optics technologyand telecom networks (e.g. knowledge of optical fiber communication GPON XGSPON or other optical network systems) is highly valued. This domain knowledge is crucial for designing relevant test scenarios in an SMx environment.
• Test Automation Skills:Advanced proficiency in developing automated tests for GUI and APIs.Expertise with Robot Framework(keyword-driven testing)Playwrightor similar web UI testing tools andPYART(or comparable Python-based automation frameworks). Able to create custom test libraries and harnesses and integrate test suites into continuous integration pipelines.
• Programming:Strong coding/scripting skills inPython(preferred) or similar languages (to develop automation scripts and frameworks. Ability to work with version control (Git bitbucket) and familiar with CI/CD tools to run automated tests.
• Leadership & Ownership:Proven ability tolead technical projectsin test automation including defining test strategy architecting test frameworks and making high-level technical decisions. Experience in coordinating a teams efforts and collaborating across departments to resolve issues.
• Education:Bachelors degree in Computer Science Electronics/Telecommunications or related field (or equivalent experience). A Masters degree or relevant certifications in software testing or networking (e.g. ISTQB CCNA CCNP) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Telecom Industry Experience:Work experience with telecommunications or networking companies especially in roles testing network management software or OSS/BSS systems. Familiarity with NMS/EMS products (such as Calix AXOS SMx Cisco Prime etc.) or telecom service provisioning is an advantage.
• Additional Automation Tools:Familiarity with other test automation and QA tools such as Selenium Cypress or AI-driven testing platforms (for example tools with self-healing tests or visual validation). Experience with performance testing tools or frameworks (for simulating load on NMS/network elements) would be a bonus.
• CI/CD and DevOps:Experience integrating automated tests in CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins GitLab CI) and using containerized test environments (Docker Kubernetes) for scalable test execution.
• Analytics & Reporting:Experience in using analytics to track quality metrics (test coverage defect rates) and in creating dashboards or reports to communicate test results and product quality.
• Certifications:Relevant professional certifications e.g. in networking (Cisco Juniper) or testing (ISTQB Advanced Test Manager) demonstrating continuous learning and expertise.

Desired Soft Skills

• Leadership & Mentoring:Strong leadership qualities tomentor junior engineers provide constructive feedback and build an inclusive high-performing team culture. Ability to take ownership of projects and drive them to completion with minimal supervision.
• Communication:Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Capable of explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms to stakeholders and documenting test plans designs and results clearly.
• Problem-Solving:Analytical mindset with exceptional problem-solving and debugging skills. Able to quickly diagnose issues in complex systems (network software) and guide the team in implementing solutions.
• Innovation & Proactiveness:A proactive approach to work with a habit of staying updated on latest technologies. Eager to experiment with new tools or techniques (such as AI/ML in testing) that could improve test effectiveness. Brings a continuous improvement mindset to the teams processes and the products quality.
• Collaboration:Team player who works well in cross-functional settings. Collaborates effectively with development product management and operations teams to ensure quality goals are aligned with business objectives. Adaptable and comfortable working in a hybrid work environment coordinating with global teams if required.

Note:The Staff Engineer role is a senior individual contributor position. We expect candidates who are not only technically proficient but also able todrive initiativesand improve how we test our products. This position offers an opportunity to influence the quality of cutting-edge network management solutions and to mentor a growing QA automation team.

Location:

• India (Flexible hybrid work model - work from Bangalore office for 20 days in a quarter)