Akash Sachdeva

Open to Opportunities

Available for Network Engineering & Automation Roles in the UK

With 12+ years of experience in L2/L3 protocols testing and carrier-grade network validation, I bring strong expertise in BGP, MPLS, EVPN, VxLAN, and SRv6. I'm passionate about solving complex networking problems and leveraging automation and AI-driven approaches to build efficient, scalable solutions.

🌐 IP/MPLS ⚡ L2/L3 Protocols Testing 🐍 Python Automation 🤖 AI-driven Testing 📍 UK Based ✅ Immediate Start

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About Me

Results-driven
Network Leader

🌐

Network Expert

Deep expertise in L2/L3 protocol testing — BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, EVPN, VXLAN, SRv6 on Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco & Juniper platforms.

🐍

Automation First

Python-based CI/CD automation pipelines that reduced manual regression effort by 30% and accelerated feature delivery.

🤖

AI-Driven Testing

Leveraging AI-assisted approaches to network testing, root cause analysis, and optimisation for carrier-grade scale.

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Award Winner

Recognised with High Flyer and Outstanding Contributor at Ericsson, and Business Excellence at Nokia.

Results-driven Network Technical Leader with 12+ years of experience in data communications, specialising in L2/L3 protocols Testing. Proven expertise in feature validation, performance testing, and automation across carrier-grade and data centre networks.

Hands-on experience across Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and Juniper environments, delivering scalable, high-performance solutions while improving system stability, throughput, and release quality.

Skilled in Python automation and exploring AI-driven approaches to optimise network operations. Known for quick learning ability, strong ownership, and delivering results in complex R&D environments.

📍 Reading, England, United Kingdom

Career Journey

Work Experience

Technical Lead

Ericsson

Oct 2025 – Feb 2026 Full-time

Was part of the system testing team focused on feature testing, validation, and automation for carrier-grade edge routers.
Performed comprehensive feature testing of routing protocols including BGP, MPLS, OSPF, IS-IS, and EVPN on carrier-grade edge routers.
Debugged complex protocol test scripts, identified product issues, and reported defects with detailed analysis and reproducible scenarios.
Collaborated closely with development engineers to troubleshoot, analyse root causes, and drive issue resolution.
Supported customer and maintenance releases by reproducing complex issues, performing root cause analysis (RCA), and driving defect resolution through structured validation.
Focused on defect management, consistently improving product quality, stability, and on-time delivery.

BGPMPLSOSPF EVPNL2/L3RCA

Technical Leader

Nokia

Sep 2021 – Oct 2025 Full-time

Led performance and backhaul validation for LTE/5G eNodeB/gNodeB systems, focusing on high-throughput transport features including IPSec, Network Slicing, and RAN Sharing.
Designed and executed test cases for U-Plane traffic on the BTS System Modules, benchmarking backhaul throughput and optimising SoC-level performance.
Performed route validation, deep protocol knowledge using data plane primitives, IP routing — TCP, UDP — and integrated traffic generators like IXIA and TRex.
Identified bottlenecks in data-plane performance and implemented system-level enhancements, improving network stability by 20% and throughput by 50%.
Tested multi-path features with Spirent, high-speed core routing, and dual U-Plane deployments for scalable data transport.
Reduced manual regression by 30% by introducing Python-based automation, streamlining test cycles and lab validations.
Contributed to New Product Introduction (NPI), performing PoCs, lab validations, and assisting with deployment planning for new hardware and features.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams for fault analysis, root cause investigation, and technical documentation including MOPs and implementation checklists.
Executed product validation, including test case quality delivery. Conducted demos and PoC to customers.

5G/LTEIPSecIXIA TRexSpirentPython RANNPIL2/L3

Associate Consultant

TCS Client: Cisco

Nov 2020 – Sep 2021 Full-time

Led NTP and NETCONF/YANG feature testing on Cisco Nexus platforms, ensuring protocol correctness and stability across releases.
Identified and investigated protocol-level defects, working with development teams to provide RCA and resolution within SLA/WLA targets.
Developed Python scripts for DME (Data Management Engine) testing, reducing test time by 25% and improving test coverage.
Documented test cases, plans, and results as per Cisco's internal standards, contributing to high-quality delivery and customer satisfaction.

NETCONFYANGNTP NexusPythonDMEL2/L3

Sr. Software Engineer

Wipro Client: Ericsson

Aug 2012 – Nov 2020 Full-time · 8 yrs

PDU IP Packet Core Team — worked across India and Finland on core network testing and infrastructure.
Managed LAN network design, IPAM using Infoblox, and cloud infrastructure on OpenStack & VMware environments.
Maintained high-performance stability of carrier-grade systems across multi-vendor environments.
Strong hands-on experience with routers, switches, and cloud platforms with a solid understanding of Layer 2 technologies — both interior and exterior gateway protocols such as VLAN, STP, OSPF, and BGP.

OpenStackVMwareInfoblox OSPFBGPIPAM L2/L3

Technical Arsenal

Skills & Expertise

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Networking

BGP OSPF MPLS EVPN VXLAN SRv6

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Automation

Python | NETCONF/YANG | CI/CD

Python NETCONF YANG CI/CD Bash

⚡

Tools

IXIA | TRex | Spirent | Wireshark

IXIA TRex Spirent Wireshark

🏢

Platforms

Cisco | Juniper | Nokia | Ericsson

Cisco Juniper Nokia Ericsson

Highlighted Work

Featured Projects

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Network Automation Framework (Python)

Built Python scripts to automate L2/L3 protocol validation workflows, reducing manual regression effort by 30% and streamlining test cycles across lab environments.

Automated BGP, MPLS, EVPN test scenarios end-to-end
Integrated with CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation
Reduced testing time by 25–30% across release cycles

PythonCI/CDBGPMPLS

⚡

5G/LTE Backhaul Performance Testing

Led performance and backhaul validation for LTE/5G systems at Nokia, benchmarking U-Plane traffic throughput and optimising SoC-level performance on BTS System Modules.

Improved network stability by 20% through targeted optimisations
Boosted throughput by 50% with system-level enhancements
Used IXIA, TRex & Spirent for traffic generation at scale

5G/LTEIXIATRexSpirent

🌐

Protocol Validation Lab – BGP / MPLS / EVPN

Designed and executed comprehensive protocol validation test suites covering BGP, MPLS, EVPN, VXLAN, and SRv6 across Nokia, Ericsson, and Cisco multi-vendor environments.

Validated multi-path routing and dual U-Plane deployments
Performed RCA and defect resolution for customer releases
Conducted PoC demos for new hardware introduction (NPI)

BGPEVPNSRv6VXLAN

The Differentiator

Why Hire Me?

01

12+ Years in Networking

R&D and production mindset with deep protocol expertise across carrier-grade multi-vendor environments.

02

Networking + Automation + AI

A rare combination — strong networking foundations paired with Python automation and AI-driven approaches.

03

Top-Tier Experience

Hands-on experience across leading organisations including Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco (via TCS), and Wipro, with strong exposure to both vendor R&D and enterprise networking environments. Experienced in multi-vendor ecosystems, including Cisco, Juniper, Ericsson, and Nokia, with additional exposure to Extreme Networks, OnPath switching platforms, and Dell/HP server infrastructure.

04