Network Lab Engineer

Job Title: Enterprise Network Lab Engineer

Function: IT Infrastructure / Enterprise Networking

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on Enterprise Network Lab Engineer to own and operate our enterprise network validation lab. This role is the bridge between network architecture and production deployment - you will take use cases from concept through rigorous lab validation and deliver complete, production-ready designs backed by test evidence.

You will work closely with network architects, vendors, and engineering teams to validate new technologies, verify platform upgrades, and stress-test configurations before they touch the production network. You are equally comfortable racking gear and writing a Python script to automate test runs.

What You Will Do

• Lab Validation & Testing
• Receive network use cases from architecture, engineering, or business stakeholders and translate them into structured lab test plans covering functional, performance, resiliency, and failure-scenario testing
• Execute high-touch validation of enterprise networking technologies including switching, routing, wireless, SD-WAN, firewalling, and network automation platforms
• Deliver complete validation packages including:
• Logical and physical topology diagrams
• Device configurations (sanitized and version-controlled)
• Step-by-step test procedures and results
• Pass/fail summaries with root cause analysis for failures
• Go/No-Go recommendations with supporting evidence
• Perform rack and stack of lab equipment when required - cable management, power sequencing, console access setup, and physical layer verification
• Design & Documentation
• Produce clear, detailed lab reports that can be handed directly to production engineering teams for deployment
• Maintain up-to-date physical and logical topology documentation for all active lab topologies
• Document configurations using version control (Git) so all tested configs are traceable and reusable
• Build and maintain a library of validated reference architectures and design patterns
• Vendor Collaboration
• Partner with network vendors (Cisco, Arista, Juniper, Palo Alto, Aruba, etc.) to conduct joint proof-of-concept testing and feature validation
• Drive vendor-supported test engagements including bug reproduction, feature requests, and interoperability testing
• Evaluate new hardware and software releases against defined acceptance criteria before recommending adoption
• Manage loaner equipment logistics and coordinate lab access for vendor engineers
• Automation & CI/CD
• Write scripts (Python, Bash, Ansible) to automate repetitive lab tasks - device provisioning, configuration push, test execution, and results collection
• Build or maintain CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) for automated configuration validation and regression testing
• Develop test automation frameworks using tools such as pyATS, Robot Framework, Batfish, or NAPALM
• Integrate lab test results into reporting dashboards or ticketing systems to provide traceability from test run to design decision
• Able to leverage AI agents / tools to automate some tasks, testing and analysis

Required Skills

• 5+ years of handson enterprise network engineering experience
• Deep expertise in at least two of the following domains: campus switching, data center fabric, SDWAN, wireless LAN, network security, WAN/ISP connectivity
• Strong understanding of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), switching (VLAN, STP, LACP, VXLAN), and overlay technologies (EVPN, VxLAN, LISP)
• Proficiency with network operating systems across multiple vendors (Cisco IOS/NXOS, Arista EOS, Juniper Junos, or equivalent)
• Ability to read, write, and interpret network configurations at a detailed level
• Experience creating professional grade topology diagrams (draw.io, Visio, Lucidchart) and technical documentation
• Scripting capability in Python or equivalent - must be able to write working scripts independently, not just modify existing ones
• Familiarity with Git based workflows and version-controlled config management
• Demonstrated ability to utilize AI agents/tools for the automation of tasks, testing, and analysis.
• Physical lab skills: rack and stack, cable management, console cabling, power management, and hardware troubleshooting

Preferred

• Experience with network automation tooling: Ansible, Nornir, NAPALM, pyATS, Batfish, NetBox/Nautobot
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins) applied to network configuration workflows
• Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code concepts as applied to networking
• Experience in a dedicated network validation or solutions engineering lab environment
• Certifications: CCNP / CCIE (Enterprise or Data Center), JNCIP, ACE, or equivalent professional level certification
• Familiarity with structured test methodology frameworks (RFC 2544, RFC 6349, IETF test standards)
• Experience working directly with vendor presales, SE, or TAC teams in a formal lab engagement

How You Work

• You are methodical and documentation driven - you do not consider a test complete until the results are written up and the configs are committed
• You can take a loosely defined use case and independently structure it into a formal test plan without handholding
• You hold yourself to a high bar for accuracy - a design that passes your lab should work in production
• You communicate clearly across technical and nontechnical audiences - your reports are read by architects, engineers, and managers alike
• You are comfortable pushing back on a vendor if test results do not meet acceptance criteria and can articulate the technical basis for your findings
• You manage your own lab workload, prioritize concurrent test engagements, and communicate schedule risks proactively

What Success Looks Like

In your first 90 days:

• You have stood up at least one end-to-end lab topology independently and delivered a complete validation report
• You understand the existing lab inventory, active topologies, and inflight test engagements
• You have established working relationships with at least two vendor SE teams

At 6 months:

• Validation lab turnaround time is predictable and documented design deliverables are consistently productionready
• At least one test workflow is partially or fully automated via scripting or CI/CD pipeline
• Your lab reports are used as the primary evidence gate before production deployments go through change management

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

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Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

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