Join us as a Principal QA Engineer and take the lead in defining and executing quality assurance strategies for next-generation optical networking solutions. You will drive comprehensive test and automation initiatives for Optical DWDM platforms and critical protocols such as OTN, GbE, and DWDM, while ensuring robust system security and reliability.
You will work across both manual and automated system testing, augmented with AI, ensuring robust validation, scalability, and continuous quality improvements. This is an opportunity to influence testing at a strategic level, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to delivering high-performance, reliable products in a fast-evolving technology landscape.
ResponsibilitiesAs a Principal QA Engineer, you will lead the efforts for:
- Review the product feature requirements to estimate effort, equipment needs, and timelines for release commitments
- Analyze system requirements to develop comprehensive test strategies and plans that validate system features and customer deployment scenarios
- Validate complex system features and functionality within carrier-grade products to ensure high reliability
- Develop cross-functional test scripts aligned with system requirements and defined test plans
Design, maintain, and execute automation frameworks and test suites, including thorough failure analysis - Collaborate with system engineering teams on requirement reviews, definitions, and test plan validations
- Work closely with test, design, and architecture teams to understand feature implementation and ensure effective test coverage
- Provide detailed reporting on test execution, defect analysis, and resolution, while ensuring alignment with quality standards and customer expectations for feature deployment
Must-have:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in CSE, EEE, or ECE, with 12+ years of experience in testing and automation within optical networking domains
- Proven experience in certifying SONET/SDH/OTN/DWDM systems in a product development environment, with strong knowledge of relevant standards on OTN, DWDM, and Platform.
- Hands-on experience on different protocols like OTN, FlexO, FlexE, Fiber Channel, Ethernet, SONET/Sdh, RSTP, etc, and interfaces like Netconf, Restconf, gRPC, etc.
- Strong expertise in L0/L1/Platform software design for network equipment
- Work experience in testing Microservices, Container container-based applications is strongly desired.
- Having experience in system control plane protocols such as OSPF, MPLS, LDP, and other L2/L3 protocols is a strong plus.
- Working with test traffic generators like Viavi, Spirent, Ixia, etc. and optical spectrum analyzers (OSA), along with programming/scripting skills in Python or similar languages
- Experience in system testing across multiple product releases as a Test technical leader and test architecture-related activities.
- Highly motivated with leadership qualities, committed to System Quality.
- Continuous Drive for Results and Optimization of Test Efforts.
Nice-to-have:
- Collaborating with customer support teams to address field escalations during deployments
- Highly motivated with leadership qualities, committed to System Quality.
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
Our recruitment process
We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.
If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.
The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.
Some of our benefits in India:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work–life balance
- Health and well-being support – medical insurance for you and your family, health check-ups, life and accident insurance, well-being programs, and employee resource groups
- A minimum of 90 days of Maternity and Paternity Leave based on eligibility
- Personal Support Service 24/7 – a confidential support channel open to all Nokia employees and their families in challenging situations
- Career growth & mobility – technical career paths, job rotations, international assignments, and relocation support
- Continuous learning – technical certifications, mentoring programs, coaching, and digital learning platforms
- Opportunities to innovate and contribute through Nokia’s research and development environment
- Recognition programs that celebrate outstanding contributions
- Workplace support – ergonomic working support and mobile device programs based on eligibility
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in CSE, EEE, or ECE and 12+ years of testing and automation in optical networking domains
- Proven experience certifying SONET/SDH/OTN/DWDM systems and strong knowledge of OTN, DWDM standards and platform requirements
- Hands-on experience with protocols OTN, FlexO, FlexE, Fiber Channel, Ethernet, SONET/SDH, RSTP, GbE and interfaces Netconf, Restconf, gRPC
- Strong expertise in L0/L1/Platform software design for network equipment
- Work experience testing microservices and container-based applications
- Experience with control plane protocols such as OSPF, MPLS, LDP and other L2/L3 protocols
- Experience using test traffic generators (Viavi, Spirent, Ixia) and optical spectrum analyzers (OSA); programming/scripting in Python or similar
- Experience in system testing across multiple product releases as a test technical leader and in test architecture activities
- Leadership qualities, high motivation, and commitment to system quality
- Continuous drive for results and optimization of test efforts
- Collaborating with customer support teams to address field escalations during deployments
- Highly motivated with leadership qualities, committed to System Quality (listed as nice-to-have duplicate)
Nokia Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nokia and has not been reviewed or approved by Nokia.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity programs include a global employee share purchase plan with company matching and multi‑year share awards. These mechanisms broaden participation and tie rewards to long‑term outcomes.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes major medical plans with supplementary options such as vision, legal services, and care navigation. The range of offerings indicates comprehensive support for medical needs.
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Parental & Family Support — A global policy grants paid leave for new parents regardless of gender and provides structured return‑to‑work support. Company‑paid life insurance further strengthens family protection across regions.
Nokia Insights
What We Do
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
