OAT tester - #2137467

Position: OAT tester
Location: Bristol, UK (Hybrid-3 days a week from office)
12 months contract position

The Role

We are seeking an experienced OAT Tester to join our team supporting the Network modernization Programme.

You will perform Operational Acceptance Testing across newly deployed Juniper wired and wireless networks, validating that implementations meet design specifications, performance requirements, and operational readiness standards before handover to business-as-usual support.

You will act as the critical link between physical deployment teams and user acceptance testing teams, focusing on non-functional validation alongside a foundational understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking and Wi-Fi access points

Your responsibilities:

• OAT Delivery: Execute structured non-functional testing for wired and wireless networks post-cutover, after NRFU (Network Ready For Use) confirmation is received – covering performance, stability, capacity, security, roaming, and resilience.
• Dual-Tier Validation: Verify two distinct test levels consistently across all sites:
• Building/Site Level: Confirm approved network designs are applied correctly; audit switch/AP configurations; validate site-specific settings, monitoring alerts, and deployment accuracy.
• Solution Level: Verify end-to-end solution behaviour including failover, throughput, latency, VLAN segmentation, backup paths, and compliance with agreed standards.
• Testing Scope: Focus on non-functional attributes (performance, stability, interoperability, maintainability) – functional end-user device testing is handled by separate UAT teams.
• Evidence & Reporting: Capture test evidence (screenshots, throughput data, heatmaps, ping/traceroute logs), complete standardised test checklists, raise defects via JIRA, and sign off acceptance criteria where met.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work alongside network engineers, cutover teams, SIAM, and UAT testers to resolve queries, clarify scope, and ensure alignment with agreed acceptance rules.
• Process Adherence: Follow the approved OAT Test Strategy, maintain auditable records, and support lessons learned reviews to improve testing across subsequent building migrations.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Essential: Practical experience of non-functional testing principles and practices within IT/network environments.
• Essential: Working knowledge of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking fundamentals (VLANs, IP addressing, routing, switching) and Wi-Fi access point deployment and configuration (802.11 standards, SSIDs, roaming, RF basics).
• Essential: Ability to use common network test tools (ping, iperf, throughput testers, wireless survey tools) and interpret basic monitoring output.
• Essential: Strong attention to detail; ability to follow defined processes and document results clearly for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Desirable: Awareness of Juniper networking equipment (switches, WLCs, APs) or experience in higher education/public sector IT projects.
• Desirable: Understanding of IT service management tools (ServiceNow, JIRA, SolarWinds) and concepts like SIAM, warranty, and hypercare support.

Your Profile

Essential skills/knowledge/experience:

• Practical experience of non-functional testing principles and practices within IT/network environments.
• Working knowledge of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking fundamentals (VLANs, IP addressing, routing, switching) and Wi-Fi access point deployment and configuration (802.11 standards, SSIDs, roaming, RF basics).
• Ability to use common network test tools (ping, iperf, throughput testers, wireless survey tools) and interpret basic monitoring output.
• Strong attention to detail; ability to follow defined processes and document results clearly for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable skills/knowledge/experience

• Awareness of Juniper networking equipment (switches, WLCs, APs) or experience in higher education/public sector IT projects.
• Understanding of IT service management tools (ServiceNow, JIRA, SolarWinds) and concepts like SIAM, warranty, and hypercare support.