Network Testing Lab Infrastructure Lead

CACI International; Sterling (IL); On-site; USD 121,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible environment

Professional development resources

Job summary

CACI International is seeking a Network Testing Lab Infrastructure Lead in Sterling, IL, to oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of our network testing lab. You will manage lab resources, coordinate testing, and ensure realistic production-like conditions for validation of network technologies.

The role requires TS/SCI with poly, 10+ years of experience, and a strong automation focus using Python, Ansible, and Bash.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years of related work experience.
• TS/SCI w/ poly is required.
• Strong expertise in network protocols, technologies, and industry standards.
• Hands-on experience with a wide range of network equipment and testing tools.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Python, Ansible, Bash).
• Experience with virtualization technologies and software-defined networking.
• Experience with lab management software and tools for tracking and documenting testing processes.
• Strong understanding of network security principles and testing methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience working with HVAC systems, power management, and facilities teams to ensure optimal test lab conditions.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the network testing lab infrastructure, including hardware, software, and virtualized environments.
• Develop and maintain lab architecture blueprints, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and alignment with current and future testing needs.
• Oversee the procurement, installation, and configuration of network equipment and testing tools in the lab environment.
• Manage and coordinate lab resources, including scheduling and prioritizing lab usage for various testing projects.
• Collaborate with network engineers, developers, and QA teams to understand testing requirements and design appropriate lab setups.
• Implement and maintain automation frameworks for lab provisioning, configuration, and test execution.
• Ensure the lab environment accurately simulates production network conditions and scenarios.
• Develop and enforce lab usage policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex issues within the lab environment and provide technical support to lab users.
• Stay current with emerging network technologies and testing methodologies, incorporating them into the lab environment as appropriate.
• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers for lab equipment and tools.
• Work closely with the facilities team to ensure the network test lab has appropriate power, cooling, and environmental controls to support uninterrupted operations. This includes overseeing HVAC systems, power distributions systems and redundancy, and ensuring compliance with safety standards including lockout/tagout execution.
• Provide regular reports on lab utilization, performance, and improvement recommendations to management. Mentor and guide junior lab engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication

Documentation

Scripting & automation

Python

Ansible

Bash

Virtualization

Software-defined networking

Lab management software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent

Tools

Python

Ansible

Bash

Virtualization technologies

Software-defined networking

Lab management software

Job description

Job Title: Network Testing Lab Infrastructure Lead

Job Category: Information Technology

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Continental US

* * *

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Network Testing Lab Infrastructure Lead to oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of our network testing laboratory environment. This role will be responsible for managing the lab infrastructure, coordinating testing activities, and ensuring the lab environment accurately simulates real‑world network conditions for thorough testing and validation of network technologies and solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the network testing lab infrastructure, including hardware, software, and virtualized environments.

• Develop and maintain lab architecture blueprints, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and alignment with current and future testing needs.

• Oversee the procurement, installation, and configuration of network equipment and testing tools in the lab environment.

• Manage and coordinate lab resources, including scheduling and prioritizing lab usage for various testing projects.

• Collaborate with network engineers, developers, and QA teams to understand testing requirements and design appropriate lab setups.

• Implement and maintain automation frameworks for lab provisioning, configuration, and test execution.

• Ensure the lab environment accurately simulates production network conditions and scenarios.

• Develop and enforce lab usage policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Troubleshoot complex issues within the lab environment and provide technical support to lab users.

• Stay current with emerging network technologies and testing methodologies, incorporating them into the lab environment as appropriate.

• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers for lab equipment and tools.

• Work closely with the facilities team to ensure the network test lab has appropriate power, cooling, and environmental controls to support uninterrupted operations. This includes overseeing HVAC systems, power distributions systems and redundancy, and ensuring compliance with safety standards including lockout/tagout execution.

• Provide regular reports on lab utilization, performance, and improvement recommendations to management. Mentor and guide junior lab engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience

• 10+ years of related work experience

• TS/SCI w/ poly is required

• Strong expertise in network protocols, technologies, and industry standards

• Hands‑on experience with a wide range of network equipment and testing tools

• Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Python, Ansible, Bash)

• Experience with virtualization technologies and software‑defined networking

• Experience with lab management software and tools for tracking and documenting testing processes.

• Strong understanding of network security principles and testing methodologies

• Demonstrated experience working with HVAC systems, power management, and facilities teams to ensure optimal test lab conditions.

• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills

• Strong leadership and team management abilities

• Excellent communication and documentation skills

Desired:

• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent are preferred

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high‑performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation’s most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range:

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$120,800 - $265,800

CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.