Network Engineering Tech Lead (Contract – Onsite – Menlo Park, CA)

A prominent IT company, partnered with Experis IT ManpowerGroup, is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Network Engineering Tech Lead (Contract – Onsite – Menlo Park, CA) to join their team. This six-month contract position, based onsite in Menlo Park, California (Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm), offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the implementation, deployment, and validation of cutting-edge network testbeds. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in IP networking, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a collaborative spirit, all essential for supporting complex lab environments and driving innovation.

Network Engineering Tech Lead (Contract – Onsite – Menlo Park, CA)

Location: Menlo Park, CA – This is an Onsite role, requiring daily presence at the facility.

Duration: 6 months

Shift: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Computer and Mathematical

Description: What You’ll Be Doing to Advance Network Innovation

As a Network Engineering Tech Lead, you will be at the forefront of implementing, deploying, and validating complex end-to-end network testbeds. This role is highly hands-on, demanding a blend of deep technical knowledge, meticulous execution, and innovative problem-solving to ensure the functionality and performance of next-generation network solutions. Your responsibilities will include:

• Implement and Deploy End-to-End Lab Testbeds: You will be directly responsible for the hands-on implementation and deployment of end-to-end lab testbeds based on provided requirements. This involves racking, stacking, cabling, and configuring a diverse array of network devices and systems to create functional, isolated environments for rigorous testing of new technologies and solutions before they are integrated into production.
• Support Installation and Decommissioning of Network Equipment: You will provide expert support for the physical installation and decommissioning of network cabinets and equipment. This includes ensuring proper power and cooling connections, meticulous cable management (both structured cabling and fiber-optic cabling), and adherence to safety protocols during hardware installation and removal in data centers, colocation facilities, Internet Exchanges, or central offices.
• Verify and Troubleshoot Connectivity and Device Health: You will diligently verify connectivity and assess the health of network devices. This involves utilizing various diagnostic tools and methodologies to confirm physical and logical links, check device status, monitor performance metrics, and proactively identify any anomalies or failures. Your ability to quickly ascertain the operational status of complex network components is critical.
• Build, Maintain, and Reconfigure Lab Equipment: A core function of your role will be to build, maintain, and continuously reconfigure lab equipment to support the evolving requirements of various lab teams. This ensures that the testbeds remain adaptable, functional, and accurately reflect the diverse scenarios needed for comprehensive network validation and development.
• Develop Test Automation Scripts and Execute Test Campaigns: You will be instrumental in developing Test Automation scripts to streamline validation processes. This involves coding automated tests to verify network protocols, testbed functionalities, and system performance. You will also troubleshoot network protocols within the testbeds and meticulously execute extensive test campaigns to validate new features, bug fixes, and system integrations.
• Configure Diverse IPv4/IPv6/Ethernet Networking Elements: You will expertly configure IPv4/IPv6/Ethernet networking across various elements that constitute the end-to-end testbeds. This includes a wide range of devices such as mobile devices, switches, routers, wireless/cellular equipment, and servers. Your configuration tasks will encompass ports, firewall rules, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and NAT (Network Address Translation) rule setup, ensuring proper connectivity and security.
• Configure Linux-Based Systems for Testbed Integration: You will configure Linux-based systems such as servers, compute instances, and database systems that are integral parts of the end-to-end testbeds. Furthermore, you will enable these lab testbeds to inter-network with enterprise systems, production systems, and external internet access, ensuring realistic testing scenarios and seamless data exchange.
• Develop Test Scripts for Network Metrics Extraction: You will develop test scripts specifically designed to extract networking-related metrics from various devices, protocols, and database tables. This may involve using API queries/calls, WebSocket interfaces, and Android/adb (Android Debug Bridge) to gather granular performance and operational data. These metrics are crucial for performance analysis and reporting.
• Assist in Maintaining Additional Lab Infrastructure: You will provide valuable assistance in maintaining additional lab infrastructure, which includes compute and storage systems, monitoring systems, and specialized test equipment. Your support ensures the overall stability and availability of the entire lab environment for continuous innovation and testing.
• Synthesize Test Results and Prepare Output Reports: You will be responsible for synthesizing and meticulously comparing test results from executed test campaigns. Subsequently, you will prepare comprehensive output reports in a clear and presentable format, summarizing findings, highlighting key insights, and providing data-driven recommendations to engineering and leadership teams.

Qualifications: What You’ll Bring to the Team

To excel as a Network Engineering Tech Lead, you will bring a robust technical foundation, extensive hands-on experience, and a proven track record in complex networking environments. We are seeking a candidate who demonstrates:

• Subject Matter Expertise in IP Networking/Routing & Switching: You must possess profound subject matter expertise in IP Networking, Routing, and Switching. This includes deep knowledge of TCP/IP, IPv4/v6, and core routing protocols such as BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), ISIS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), and/or MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching). This expertise should be validated by relevant network certifications, such as CCNA/CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Associate/Professional), JNCIA/JNCIS (Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate/Specialist), RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator), or equivalent practical experience demonstrating mastery of these domains.
• Experience with High-Speed Ethernet and Optical Transport: You must have significant experience with 100G/400G Ethernet technologies and a strong understanding of CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing), DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing), and other optical transport network (OTN) technologies. This includes practical experience in configuring, troubleshooting, and deploying high-bandwidth optical network solutions.
• Hands-on Routing and Switching Protocol Configuration/Troubleshooting: You possess extensive experience configuring and troubleshooting advanced routing and switching protocols, specifically including BGP, IS-IS, MPLS, RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol – Traffic Engineering), and VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol). This demonstrates your ability to manage complex network traffic flows, ensure redundancy, and troubleshoot intricate routing issues.
• Advanced Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis: You excel at analyzing tactical situations, performing deep troubleshooting, conducting root cause analysis using various systems and tools, and effectively problem-solving complex issues, whether as individual tasks or as part of larger cross-functional projects. Your methodical approach to diagnostics is paramount.
• Field-Based Data Center Experience: You have proven experience with field-based work in Data Centers, Colocation Facilities, Internet Exchanges, or Central Offices. This includes a strong working knowledge of physical network infrastructure, understanding power and cooling requirements, and expertise in structured cabling and fiber-optic cabling installation and troubleshooting.
• Multi-Vendor Hardware Experience: You have hands-on experience working in a multi-vendor environment with diverse networking hardware. This demonstrates your adaptability and ability to configure and troubleshoot devices from various manufacturers, integrating them into cohesive network solutions.
• Educational Background (or Equivalent): A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience is required. This academic or equivalent practical background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for complex network engineering and problem-solving.
• Large-Scale Network Design, Deployment, and Operations: You bring significant work experience in designing, deploying, and operating large-scale networks. This indicates your ability to manage network infrastructure at an enterprise or service provider level, considering scalability, reliability, and security across extensive environments.
• Proficiency in Routing and Switching Protocols (Redundancy): You have proven experience in deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting routing and switching protocols such as BGP, IS-IS, MPLS, RSVP-TE, and VRRP, specifically focusing on their application in achieving network redundancy and resilience. Your expertise also extends to Optical Transport Networks (OTN), including their deployment and troubleshooting.
• Linux System Administration and Scripting/Automation: You have strong familiarity with Linux-based systems and possess practical experience with scripting and automation using languages like Bash, Python, and Perl. This enables you to automate repetitive tasks, manage system configurations, and streamline testing processes within the lab environment.

What’s In It For You: Benefits, Growth, and Impact

This 6-month contract opportunity as a Network Engineering Tech Lead in Menlo Park, CA, offers a compelling environment for professional growth and significant impact.

• Cutting-Edge Innovation: You’ll be at the forefront of implementing and validating next-generation network technologies, gaining unparalleled experience with cutting-edge solutions that are shaping the future of connectivity.
• Direct Impact on Product Development: Your work will directly support various lab teams, meaning your contributions will have a direct impact on the development and refinement of new network products and services.
• Hands-On Technical Leadership: This role offers significant hands-on technical leadership, allowing you to not only contribute individually but also influence the technical direction and operational methodologies within the lab.
• Collaborative and Dynamic Lab Environment: You will work within a dynamic and highly collaborative lab environment, interacting with engineers, developers, and researchers, fostering continuous learning and knowledge exchange.
• Access to Advanced Tools and Technologies: You’ll have access to and gain mastery over advanced testing tools, network devices, and automation platforms, further honing your expertise in a real-world setting.
• Long-Term Contract Stability: As a contract via Experis, this role often provides long-term contract stability with consistent hours, offering a solid foundation for your professional journey.
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Enjoy the benefits of weekly pay, typically a standard for Experis contracts, along with a comprehensive full benefits package and holiday pay accrual, enhancing your overall compensation and security.

If this Network Engineering Tech Lead role in Menlo Park, CA, aligns with your deep expertise in IP networking, passion for testbed validation, and drive for network innovation, we encourage you to explore this exciting contract opportunity. This is a fantastic chance to contribute to a leading IT company at the cutting edge of network technology.

To learn more and potentially embark on this impactful career path, click “Apply Now.” A dedicated recruiter will be in touch with you promptly to discuss this outstanding opportunity in greater detail, answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the application process. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring how your expertise can advance network innovation!