Network Test Engineer - SC Cleared Mandatory - London/Newbury/Birmingham/Manchester/Glasgow

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create test scripts from Test Plans, High-Level Designs (HLD) and Low-Level Designs (LLD) for network infrastructure - Routers, Switches and Firewalls.
• Execute test cases across the full VBTS estate: hosting, data centre, LAN/WiFi, SD-WAN, fixed connectivity, mobility, telephony, UC & Unity, MPN & cloud, IoT, cloud & security, and service transition.
• Support all test phases: Unit, System Integration, Functional, Non-Functional, Disaster Recovery and Operational Acceptance Testing.
• Import test cases into ALM and link test cases to requirements, maintaining full requirements traceability.
• Capture and collect test execution evidence to the standard required for milestone sign-off and audit.
• Report test execution status, defects and outcomes in ALM and other Vodafone-approved tools.
• Raise, track and retest defects; work with delivery, design and engineering teams to resolve defects against project milestones.
• Set up and operate network test equipment, including RFC 2544 throughput/latency/frame-loss testing.
• Handle fibre optic cabling and follow Data Centre operating procedures when working in DC environments.
• Interpret network infrastructure designs from HLD/LLD and translate them into executable test scenarios.
• Use network and service management toolsets (eg StableNet) to validate service behaviour.
• Support test environment preparation, smoke testing and readiness checks ahead of formal execution windows.
• Attend Vodafone hub locations and customer sites as required by project scope; support the wider Test team from Newbury HQ when needed.
• Produce clear, accurate status inputs for daily/weekly test reporting and defect triage calls.
• Escalate blockers within the same working day to the Test Manager, in line with the programme's proactive-management obligations.
• Comply with Vodafone security policy, data handling requirements and audit-logging obligations at all times.
• Contribute test assets to the reuse library and support the programme's year-on-year productivity commitments (automation, reuse, AI-assisted test design).
• Support knowledge transfer, onboarding of new pool members, and continuity across resource transitions with no impact to the Project Test Plan.

TECHNICAL SCOPE & DOMAIN COVERAGE

• Testing services are delivered across the full VBTS UK product and service estate: Hosting; LAN & WiFi; Data Centre; Service Transition; SD-WAN; Telephony; UC & Unity; MPN & Cloud; IoT;
  Fixed Connectivity; Mobility; Cloud & Security.
• Test phases in scope: Unit Testing, System Integration Testing (SIT), Functional Testing, Non-Functional Testing, Disaster Recovery Testing and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT).
• Hands-on network infrastructure testing: Routers, Switches, Firewalls - including Cisco switch/Router console commands.
• Data Centre environments: operating procedures, physical layer work, fibre optic handling.
• Test equipment: configuration and operation for RFC 2544 and related performance testing.
• ALM: test case management, requirements linkage, defect management, execution reporting.
• Service and network management tooling exposure (eg StableNet).

MANDATORY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years' relevant testing experience (RFP-mandated minimum for all resources on this engagement).
• Proven telecom/network infrastructure testing experience.
• Cisco switch/Router console command competence.
• Ability to read and interpret HLD and LLD documentation.
• ALM-based test case management, defect management and reporting.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills - proficient Excel is mandatory; working knowledge of Teams and SharePoint.
• Excellent stakeholder management, time management and documentation discipline.

DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• RFC 2544 test experience and network test equipment setup.
• StableNet or comparable network/service management toolsets.
• Experience in CNI or other critical infrastructure environments (eg National Grid).
• Exposure to SD-WAN, cloud/security or UC testing programmes.
• Test automation awareness and experience contributing to reusable test assets.

CERTIFICATIONS & QUALIFICATIONS

• ISTQB Foundation - preferred.
• Relevant network certification (eg CCNA) - desirable.
• Appropriate accreditation for the position, per Vodafone requirement that all resources are appropriately accredited.