Software Engineer- Software Test Engineer – IOS XR | Python Automation | L0/L1 Optical Testing 8 - 10 years

Cisco; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc in Bengaluru is seeking a Software Test Engineer to own the quality validation of IOS XR routing – Platform infra, Optics, Layer0, Layer1 features. You will design test strategies, develop automation, validate complex customer scenarios, and provide data-driven release recommendations.

You will mentor junior engineers, improve test frameworks, and use AI-assisted tools to accelerate testing while collaborating across engineering teams to translate deployments into effective

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical field.
• Advanced Python programming skills for test automation, scripting, API interaction, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Experience configuring and solving Cisco IOS XR or another carrier‑grade network operating system.
• Strong Linux or Unix skills and experience with Git, code reviews, debugging, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with cloud, containerization, virtualization, and clustering technologies including Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, and OpenStack.
• Industry certification such as CCNA/CCNP/CCIE/JCNA/JCIE will be a huge plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement functional, system, regression, scale, performance, interoperability, resiliency, and high‑availability tests for IOS XR routing – Platform Infra/Optics, L0/L1 test features.
• Develop reusable and scalable test automation using Python and frameworks such as pyATS, Genie, or equivalent tools.
• Build and maintain physical, virtual, containerized, and cloud‑based test environments using Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, clustering technologies, VMware, OpenStack, and network simulation platforms.
• Solve complex issues using IOS XR logs, protocol traces, packet captures, telemetry, RADIUS transactions, crash information, and system‑resource data.
• Validate model‑driven interfaces and telemetry using YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, gRPC, OpenConfig, and native IOS XR models.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, version control, and regression testing.
• Use approved AI coding assistants and engineering agents for test generation, automation development, log analysis, defect triage, and documentation.
• Apply foundational knowledge of generative AI, AI agents, MCPs, reusable AI skills, prompt and context management, and responsible validation of AI‑generated output.
• Collaborate across engineering teams, review test designs and automation code, mentor junior engineers, and communicate product‑quality risks and release readiness.
• Work on network automation, algorithmic thinking and analytics applications derived from customer use cases.
• Strong in software engineering test methodology and process knowledge.

Skills

Python programming

Linux/Unix

Git & CI/CD

Test automation

AI coding assistants

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/EE/CE/Telecommunications

Tools

pyATS

Genie

Docker

Kubernetes

VMware

OpenStack

IXIA/Spirent/Viavi test equipment

Job description

Meet the Team / Who You'll Work With

The Cisco IOS XR Routing Test Team ensures the reliability, scalability, performance, and resiliency of Cisco’s carrier-grade routing platforms. We work closely with software developers, architects, product managers, and customer-facing teams to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end validation across platforms, Optics, Layer0, Layer1 optical, routing, subscriber-management, and network-service technologies for service providers, hyperscalers, Optical and web-scale customers operating some of the world’s largest and most demanding networks. Exciting career opportunities open for enthusiastic and experienced Software professionals in India.

Your Impact

Cisco provides you an excellent opportunity to take your career aspirations forward. You will bring your unique talents to the group that works on Cisco's routing technology, which large enterprises now consider to be the transport medium of choice for critically important networks. In your role as a Software Test Engineer, you will own the quality validation of IOS XR routing – Platform infra, Optics, Layer0, Layer1 capabilities. You will design test strategies, develop automation, validate complex customer scenarios, investigate system-level failures, and provide data-driven release recommendations. Your work will help ensure that Cisco delivers stable, scalable, and production-ready networking solutions. You will also mentor junior engineers, improve test frameworks, and use modern AI-assisted tools to accelerate engineering and solving workflows.

What You Will Do

• Design and implement functional, system, regression, scale, performance, interoperability, resiliency, and high‑availability tests for IOS XR routing – Platform Infra/Optics, L0/L1 test features.
• Develop reusable and scalable test automation using Python and frameworks such as pyATS, Genie, or equivalent tools.
• Build and maintain physical, virtual, containerized, and cloud‑based test environments using Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, clustering technologies, VMware, OpenStack, and network simulation platforms.
• Solve complex issues using IOS XR logs, protocol traces, packet captures, telemetry, RADIUS transactions, crash information, and system‑resource data.
• Validate model‑driven interfaces and telemetry using YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, gRPC, OpenConfig, and native IOS XR models.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, version control, and regression testing.
• Use approved AI coding assistants and engineering agents for test generation, automation development, log analysis, defect triage, and documentation.
• Apply foundational knowledge of generative AI, AI agents, MCPs, reusable AI skills, prompt and context management, and responsible validation of AI‑generated output.
• Collaborate across engineering teams, review test designs and automation code, mentor junior engineers, and communicate product‑quality risks and release readiness.
• Work on network automation, algorithmic thinking and analytics applications derived from customer use cases.
• Strong in software engineering test methodology and process knowledge.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical field. Eight or more years of experience in software engineering, network product testing, test automation, or quality engineering. Experience configuring and solving Cisco IOS XR or another carrier‑grade network operating system. Advanced Python programming skills for test automation, scripting, API interaction, data analysis, and troubleshooting. Experience developing system, scale, performance, resiliency, and high‑availability test scenarios. Strong Linux or Unix skills and experience with Git, code reviews, debugging, and CI/CD pipelines. Working knowledge of cloud, containerization, virtualization, and clustering technologies, including Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, and OpenStack. Familiarity with AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot or equivalent tools. Basic understanding of generative AI, AI agents, MCP, reusable skills, and responsible AI practices. Strong knowledge of software development life cycle. Strong analytical, solving, communication, and multi‑functional collaboration skills. Deep understanding of customer deployments, operations and the ability to translate brown field/green field deployments into test strategy with high efficacy.

• Quick learner with an open mind to "grey box" testing, bringing in strategic on‑the‑box, off‑the‑box views that reflect the state of IOS‑XR systems.
• Experience in test engineering concepts and methodologies including test planning, test case design, test execution and test automation.
• Excellent experience in Layer‑0, Layer‑1 traffic generators and analyzers (e.g. Viavi, Agilent, Spirent, IXIA, etc.).
• Strong written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Results oriented with a high degree of accountability, dedication and responsibility.
• Industry certification such as CCNA/CCNP/CCIE/JCNA/JCIE will be a huge plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience testing Optical and routing capabilities on Cisco IOS XR platforms such as Cisco8000, ASR9000,NCS5500/5700 and NCS1K.
• Experience with traffic generators and subscriber‑simulation tools such as IXIA or Spirent or Viavi or JDSU.
• Strong knowledge of Layer0 , Layer1 testing along with platform & optics test skills.
• Experience with Datapath, model‑driven telemetry, and network programmability.
• Familiarity with scale and performance characterization.

Expectations

The successful candidate will operate as an experienced individual contributor who can independently own a significant routing or BNG feature area, develop production‑quality automation, lead complex technical investigations, identify product and test risks, and provide evidence‑based release recommendations. The engineer is also expected to influence test strategy, improve engineering practices, mentor junior team members, and use AI‑assisted tools responsibly while maintaining security, accuracy, and engineering accountability.

Why Cisco

At Cisco, you will work on technologies that power some of the world’s largest networks. You will collaborate with experienced engineers, solve complex technical problems, and contribute to products with global impact. Cisco provides an inclusive environment, opportunities for continuous learning, and the ability to grow across networking, cloud, automation, and AI technologies.

Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.