Early Careers R&D Rotational Program - Test Automation

Viavi Solutions Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

VIAVI Solutions is seeking an entry-level Test Automation Engineer for its Early-Career Program in Indianapolis. You will rotate across R&D teams, building automated test infrastructure for embedded instruments using C++/Qt5, Python, and Docker, while growing in a Scrum environment.

You will inherit a foundation in Python/pytest, Jenkins CI/CD, and Jira/Confluence; rotations emphasize automated testing, test coverage, and collaboration across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• WeSeek enthusiastic, innovative individuals for product quality and collaboration in Agile teams.
• Demonstrated Python and C/C++ skills with exposure to testing concepts.
• Knowledge of Linux, Git, and CI/CD practices is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Write, maintain, and extend automated functional and integration tests in Python (pytest).
• Contribute to Jenkins CI/CD pipeline jobs: nightly builds, automated tests, coverage reporting.
• Manage Docker-based test environments for reproducible test execution.
• Execute and validate tests on PC/Linux and embedded hardware targets.
• Collaborate with developers and Product Owners to define measurable acceptance criteria.
• Monitor code coverage metrics and communicate gaps to the team.
• Maintain test docs in Confluence; update Jira test plans and executions.
• Participate in Scrum ceremonies and contribute to Definition of Done.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Linux

Git

Automation testing

Team collaboration

English communication

Education

BS in Computer Science

BS in Computer Engineering

MS in Computer Science

MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

pytest

Jenkins

Docker

Qt5

Confluence

Jira

Job description

Summary

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Program Description

Kick-start your professional adventure in our R&D Excellence Centers by joining multiple expert teams in an international rotation program. During this 2 year program you will be able to develop your skills at the forefront of leading edge technology, while also earning a competitive salary and complete benefits and that’s just the beginning! Once you complete this exciting program, you will continue your career within VIAVI collaborating with and contributing to your designated team. You will directly contribute to our solutions which are effectively used in a high variety of industries as we enable our customers to adapt and thrive by transforming complexity through visibility and actionable insight.

About us

VIAVI Engineers work with teammates to solve problems and build innovative software and hardware solutions that help our customers design, deploy and optimize all types of networks which enable their customers cell phone data and voice services for 5G, 4G and all types of wireless networks, enable cable systems and services, enable high speed data centers to operate, enable aircraft to fly safely, and enable your local government, police, fire departments, and military to operate radio communication. In addition, VIAVI Engineers build modern software systems to assure that all forms of information communication provide high level service to customers.

Duties & Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Design and model components, enclosures, and assemblies using 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
• Perform basic stress, thermal, and tolerance analysis to validate design decisions
• Build and test prototypes, iterating based on results
• Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews in collaboration with manufacturing partners
• Write clear, detailed assembly work instructions for production teams
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical and hardware engineers on integrated systems combining optics, electronics, and mechanical housings/PCBA interfaces
• Contribute to material selection and manufacturing process decisions (machining, injection molding, casting, sheet metal)
• Document design work and maintain organized records of revisions and test results

Role Overview

As a Test Automation Engineer in VIAVI's Early-Career Program, you will build and improve automated test infrastructure across the R&D teams you rotate through. VIAVI's products span embedded instruments (hardware + firmware + application software) and complex software systems — both demand rigorous automated testing, and both will be part of your experience. Your first rotation is with the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) development team in Indianapolis. You'll work on the automated test infrastructure for a next-generation embedded instrument platform — a clean-architecture C++/Qt5 application running on VIAVI hardware. You'll inherit an existing foundation (Python/pytest, Jenkins CI/CD, Docker environments, and embedded hardware test targets) and grow it. Subsequent rotations bring different products, different stacks, and different test challenges. Each team you join operates Scrum: Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, and Retrospective. Work is tracked in Jira; documentation lives in Confluence. Everyone on these teams — including test specialists — shares ownership of test coverage. You'll lead automation efforts within each rotation, but you won't be working in isolation.

Job Duties

• Write, maintain, and extend automated functional and integration tests in Python (pytest), adapted to the test framework of each team
• Contribute to Jenkins CI/CD pipeline jobs: nightly builds, automated test runs, coverage reporting, and embedded hardware test execution
• Manage Docker-based test environments for reproducible, portable test execution
• Execute and validate tests on both PC/Linux and embedded hardware targets
• Collaborate with developers and Product Owners to define acceptance criteria that are specific, measurable, and automatable
• Monitor code coverage metrics (SonarQube or equivalent); identify and communicate gaps to the team
• Maintain test documentation in Confluence; keep Jira test plans and executions current
• Participate fully in Scrum ceremonies and represent the testing perspective in Sprint Planning and Sprint Review
• Contribute to each team's Definition of Done as it relates to test coverage requirements

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements

We look for people who are enthusiastic about innovation and cutting-edge technologies to provide products to customers. If you are passionate about product quality and thrive on collaborating and communicating with Agile teams and leadership regarding designs, project progress and issue resolution, then VIAVI is a good place for you! You will also be expected to demonstrate an ability to continuously learn relevant new technologies, tools, methods and processes to leverage in your solutions. We're looking for an Entry Level Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team, supporting the design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies that integrate optics, electronics, and PCBA interfaces. This is a hands‑on role for someone who wants to grow their skills across the full product development lifecycle — from CAD modeling through prototyping and into production support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergrad or Graduate Degree from an accredited university in one of the following disciplines: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering
• Computer Engineering or equivalent technical degree.
• Experience with C/C++, Windows or Linux Operating Systems, exposure to networking protocols (TCP/IP, 802.11, Bluetooth)
• Some engineering related experience outside of the classroom environment like an internship/Co-Op, hackathon, research project, or related experience.
• Demonstrated skills in time management and ability work in a collaborative/team environment
• Capability to quickly adapt to new projects and changing priorities when needed.
• Ability/Desire to work on a temporary assignment in another country/location
• Pursuing or recently completed a BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Strong Python skills — demonstrated through coursework, projects, or internship work (not just awareness of the language)
• Familiarity with software testing concepts: unit tests, integration tests, and test frameworks
• Linux comfort: command line, file system navigation, shell scripting, log analysis
• Git proficiency: branching, commits, pull request workflow
• Ability to read and understand C++ code at a conceptual level — must be able to reason about what the system under test is doing, even without writing C++ yourself
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Legally eligible to live and work at international VIAVI sites during the program rotations (see International Travel Requirement above)

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on pytest experience: fixtures, parameterization, conftest organization, test reporting
• CI/CD exposure from class projects, internships, or personal projects (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or equivalent)
• Docker familiarity: building images, running containers, managing volumes
• Embedded systems coursework or hardware project experience
• Exposure to any C++ unit testing framework (Google Test, Catch2, or similar)
• Background in optical networking, telecommunications, or test & measurement instrumentation
• Scrum or agile team experience — including academic team projects run under Scrum
• Internship or co‑op in a software development environment

What We're Looking For

A curious, hands‑on problem solver who's comfortable moving between CAD screen time and the prototype bench, communicates clearly with teammates across disciplines, and is eager to learn the practical realities of taking a design from concept to manufactured product.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.