Network Test Engineer
Manual Test Engineer – Network Testing (SD-WAN)
Location: Wokingham / Warwick (Office-based)
Day Rate: £416 per day (Inside IR35)
Duration: 6 months
The Role
The Manual Test Engineer will be responsible for validating enterprise networks with a strong emphasis on SD-WAN, LAN/WAN, WiFi/VPN connectivity, and application reachability across segmented environments.
The role involves planning and executing test scenarios, capturing evidence, logging defects, and collaborating closely with network engineering, security, and operations teams. Candidates must be eligible for SC (Security Check) clearance, with preference given to those holding active clearance.
Responsibilities
SD-WAN Testing
Validate overlay and underlay connectivity and policy-based routing across SD-WAN environments.
Test application-aware routing, traffic steering, and performance across multiple transports.
Verify routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF between network segments.
Validate failover and resiliency scenarios including packet loss mitigation.
Ensure segmentation, VRF isolation, and policy enforcement across environments.
Network Testing (Enterprise)
Perform LAN/WAN testing including DHCP, DNS, routing, NAT, ACLs, and QoS.
Validate WiFi connectivity including SSIDs, authentication, and roaming behaviour.
Test VPN connectivity for both site-to-site and remote access scenarios.
Measure and validate network performance metrics against SLAs.
Support troubleshooting using packet captures, logs, and telemetry data.
Test Management and Reporting
Create and maintain test plans, test cases, and RTM aligned to releases.
Execute functional, regression, and integration testing with clear defect reporting.
Provide regular status updates, reports, and Go/No-Go inputs.
Maintain audit-ready documentation aligned with ITIL processes.
Governance and Security
Follow security guidelines for SC-cleared environments.
Adhere to change management and CAB processes with proper test coverage.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- 3–7 years of manual testing with strong network testing experience
- Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies (e.g. Cisco Viptela, Fortinet, Prisma, Aruba, Silver Peak)
- Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, routing (OSPF/BGP), NAT, ACLs, and QoS
- Experience with WiFi (WPA2/WPA3, 802.1X), VPNs, and network segmentation/VRFs
- Proficiency in packet analysis tools such as Wireshark or tcpdump
- Familiarity with network diagnostic tools such as traceroute, pathping, and mtr
- Experience with test management tools such as JIRA, Azure DevOps, or ALM
- Basic SQL knowledge is desirable
SC Clearance Requirements
- Must be eligible for SC clearance
- Minimum of 5 years’ continuous UK residency
- Clean criminal record
- Clean financial and credit history
- Willingness to comply with government security processes
- Active SC clearance is highly desirable