Protocol Validation Engineer (Exp 10+ Years)
On-sitePune, Maharashtra, India
Job Summary
Design, build, and execute test plans for Layer 2/Layer 3 switching and advanced TSN/AVB features across Ethernet switch and NIC silicon from bring-up through pre-production sign-off. Configure commercial network test equipment to emulate multi-device topologies and capture, analyze, and root-cause protocol-level issues using packet analysis tools. Validate time synchronization, traffic scheduling, and redundancy against IEEE/AVnu specifications while distinguishing device issues from test-tool limitations. Build test automation using scripting and REST APIs to scale coverage, and document topologies, configurations, and defects in Jira/Confluence for cross-team visibility. Collaborate with firmware, hardware, and systems engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in network test, validation, or systems engineering, ideally on Ethernet switch or NIC silicon
- Strong general networking foundation across Layer 2 Ethernet switching (VLANs, spanning tree, link aggregation, forwarding/filtering) and Layer 3/IP fundamentals (routing, ARP/ND, IP forwarding, QoS)
- Working knowledge of the AVB/TSN protocol suite — time synchronization, traffic shaping and scheduling, stream reservation, frame preemption, and redundancy — and how these map to real customer use cases (automotive, industrial, pro-AV)
- Hands-on experience with commercial network test platforms (Ixia/Keysight, Spirent, or similar) for protocol conformance and performance testing
- Strong packet-level debugging skills using Wireshark and Linux-based test environments (linuxptp or equivalent PTP stacks)
- Scripting/automation experience (Python) for test tooling and REST API-driven configuration
- Excellent troubleshooting instincts and the judgment to isolate whether an issue sits in the DUT, the test tool, or the test methodology itself
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document findings and drive discussions across firmware, hardware, and vendor teams
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with Data Center Bridging features (PFC, ETS, DCBX)
- Automotive Ethernet or industrial TSN profile experience
- Pre-silicon emulation or FPGA-based validation experience
- Familiarity with vendor REST/Python automation frameworks (e.g., RestPy or similar)
- Linux-based test environments (linuxptp or equivalent PTP stacks a plus)
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