# Network Hardware Engineer

**Company:** [Cloudflare](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/cloudflare)
**Location:** Austin, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Skills:** Python, Network Hardware, Network Architecture, Network Protocols, Data Center Switching, Internet Routing, Performance Benchmarking, Hardware Validation, Spirent, Ixia, Asics, Tcams, Junos, Sonic
**Posted:** 2026-08-26

> Evaluates, validates, and qualifies network hardware for Cloudflare’s global network across the NPI lifecycle. The role combines hardware performance testing, automation, networking expertise, troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration with operations and vendors.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead the introduction and lifecycle management of new network hardware systems through the New Product Introduction (NPI) process.
- Gather requirements, support network architecture decisions, and perform engineering validation in laboratory environments.
- Execute Device Validation Testing (DVT), Production Validation Testing (PVT), and Operational Acceptance activities.
- Create and automate test plans aligned with operational requirements and hardware limitations.
- Develop tools and automation to evaluate network hardware performance and improve testing efficiency.
- Collaborate with Network Engineering and Operations, Datacenter Engineering and Operations, OEMs, ODMs, technology vendors, and other operational teams.
- Troubleshoot, reproduce, and resolve network hardware issues, including support for TAC cases.
- Document and communicate test results and engineering updates through wikis, blogs, ticketing systems, and internal presentations.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience evaluating and experimenting with hardware performance through testing, measurement, or simulation.
- Extensive experience with networking hardware architecture, validation, performance benchmarking, debugging, and deployment.
- Deep knowledge of network engineering and protocols used in data center switching, routing, and Internet routing.
- Experience driving engineering projects from concept through experimentation and implementation.
- Experience working with OEMs, ODMs, and technology vendors.
- Professional proficiency in Python or similar programming or scripting languages.
- Familiarity with coding agents and other AI tools and technologies.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience automating Spirent or Ixia traffic-generation equipment and test cases.
- Knowledge of ASICs, TCAMs, and packet pipelines.
- Experience with Optical Line Systems and transceiver troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with Junos, IOS-XR, EOS, SONiC, and ArcOS.
- Experience with white-box network switches and open-source networking projects.
- Proficiency with Prometheus and Grafana for observability and trend analysis.
- Experience configuring and validating RoCEv2 fabrics, including Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN).

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