System Integration & Validation Test Engineer

Job Title: System Integration & Test Engineer (Optical Transport Networks)

Job Description

This role focuses on system integration and validation testing for next-generation optical transport platforms. You will help build a North American test and validation function from the ground up, working closely with a global engineering team. The position combines hands-on lab work, Python-based test automation, and system-level validation across chassis-based networking systems, including controllers, line cards, and the management plane. The primary focus is on validating overall system behavior and management interfaces rather than photonics research and development.

Responsibilities

• Perform system-level integration and validation testing on optical networking platforms, including chassis-based systems with controllers and line cards.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, and validation strategies to ensure robust system performance and reliability.
• Build, enhance, and maintain Python-based test automation frameworks and scripts to improve test coverage and efficiency.
• Validate management interfaces such as CLI, APIs, gRPC, NETCONF, and SNMP, ensuring they operate reliably and meet design requirements.
• Execute regression testing and support continuous integration workflows to maintain system quality across software releases.
• Troubleshoot hardware-software integration issues in lab environments, identifying root causes across hardware, software, and configuration layers.
• Analyze system behavior across multiple network layers, including Layer 1 through Layer 3 and the management plane, to ensure end-to-end performance.
• Support failure scenarios, resilience testing, and recovery validation to verify protection mechanisms and system robustness.
• Collaborate closely with global engineering teams, including offshore counterparts, to align on test strategies, share findings, and resolve issues.
• Help establish test processes, infrastructure, tools, and best practices for a growing validation team in North America.
• Contribute to defining and evolving the overall testing strategy for next-generation optical networking platforms.
• Participate in lab bring-up activities for new systems and features, ensuring readiness for broader deployment.
• Document test procedures, results, and issues clearly to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in system-level test and validation within telecom or networking environments.
• Hands-on exposure to optical networking or transport systems such as DWDM, OTN, or similar technologies.
• Strong experience testing management interfaces, including CLI, APIs, NETCONF, SNMP, and gRPC.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, including writing scripts and developing or extending automation frameworks.
• Experience working in Linux or embedded system environments for testing and troubleshooting.
• Experience in integration testing, regression testing, and test case development for complex systems.
• Hands-on experience working in lab environments with physical hardware systems and test equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and differentiate between hardware, software, and configuration issues in complex network systems.
• Familiarity with analyzing system behavior across network layers (Layer 1 to Layer 3 and the management plane).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with optical components such as EDFA, WSS, OCM, and OTDR.
• Familiarity with optical performance metrics, including BER, OSNR, Q-factor, and power levels.
• Experience with resilience testing and protection switching in network systems.
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices using tools such as GitLab and automated regression frameworks.
• Experience with chassis-based systems or transponder platforms supporting high-speed optics such as 100G, 400G, or 800G.
• Prior experience working in early-stage or build-from-scratch team environments where processes and infrastructure are being defined.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP and Ethernet networking concepts in the context of optical transport systems.
• Interest in working on cutting-edge optical networking platforms and contributing to a newly formed validation function.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with globally distributed engineering teams.

Work Environment

The role is initially lab-heavy, with a strong emphasis on hands-on system bring-up, integration, and validation using physical hardware and test equipment. You will work with high-speed optical systems and networking technologies in a structured lab setting. As the infrastructure and processes mature, the position will transition to a hybrid or remote work model, offering increased flexibility while maintaining access to lab resources as needed. You will have the opportunity to help define test processes, tools, and workflows for the North American validation function, contributing to a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The environment emphasizes a mix of practical systems work and automation development, providing exposure to cutting-edge optical networking platforms and modern CI/CD practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Horsham, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Offering quarterly bonus structure + stock (fully vested after 5 years worked)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Horsham,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.