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AARON NICHOLS		23 Browning Drive, Dover, NH 03820
aaron@fwappo.com • Home (603) 740-6416

Quality Assurance Engineer

Summary

Motivated and dynamic quality assurance professional with 14+ years experience in the testing and support of a wide range of data and telecom products and technologies. Consistently acknowledged for the capacity to tackle challenging issues, manage multiple priorities and responsibilities, and provide solutions with a positive attitude. Displays strengths in organization, written and oral communication, technology, problem analysis and resolution. Equally effective working independently or as an active team participant/lead. A resourceful, life-long learner, embracing knowledge as a tool for improved problem-solving effectiveness.

Technical Skills

Languages: TCL/Expect, Python, SQL, XML, XHTML and CSS, Unix Shell Script
Protocols:     TCP/IP, SOAP, OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, MPLS, 802.1Q VLAN
VoIP:            MGCP, SIP, RTP, RTSP and multicast routing protocols PIM, DVMRP, and IGMP
Platforms:     Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Enterprise Linux, SunOS, Solaris
Test Tools:    Agilent N2X, Ixia, Shenick diversifEye, Fanfare iTest, tcpdump, Wireshark

Professional Experience
Arbor Networks, Chelmsford, MA	2006 to 2009
*Principal Quality Assurance Engineer*
Designed, implemented, tested, and maintained large, complex hardware and software testbeds intended to mimic large customer installations and provide real-world test scenarios and results for Arbor Deep Packet Inspection hardware and applications.
Realized significant improvements in the speed and efficiency of regression test by automating test execution and results reporting in a TCL/Expect and Python framework.
Installed, monitored, and maintained Oracle ASM Data Warehouses and Postgres configuration databases for use in configuration and reporting application testing.
Communicated daily with engineering and product management teams on the correct implementation, test methodology, and expected results of feature and application testing.
Integrated Ellacoya Networks' eSeries hardware and software with Arbor Networks' management and reporting application suite.
Documented all discovered issues in DDTS/Bugzilla defect tracking systems, reported trends and analysis to management team.
Mentored and trained junior members of a geographically diverse Quality Assurance team.
Pannaway Technologies, Portsmouth, NH	2004 to 2005
*Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer*
Created test documentation and implemented results reporting procedures for new and existing products.
Significantly increased the speed and efficiency of the product test cycle by creating automated test cases, employing TCL and Expect scripting.
Ensured interoperability of Pannaway's 'triple play' of voice, video, and data.
Configured and maintained a Linux based SIP proxy server and an Asterisk voicemail server for use in compatibility and voice quality testing by the QA team.
Provided detailed functional testing of data and voice features
Motorola, Tewksbury, MA	2003 to 2004
*Senior Systems Engineer*
Provided diagnostic troubleshooting and technical support to top mobile handset vendors, such as Kyocera, LGE, and Samsung, for their implementation of Motorola's M-PTT protocol client during testing and certification.
Created and maintained interoperability test plans used for certification of multiple vendor's implementations of Motorola's Push-to-Talk over Cellular client, published to both internal and external organizations.
Installed, maintained, and provisioned Linux hardware and Motorola software systems capable of supporting more than 100,000 subscribers for use in Push-to-Talk over Cellular client testing and certification
Acted as program manager and single point of contact between internal development organization, external vendors, and business partners during interoperability test cycle.
Significantly increased productivity and test accuracy by creating Python scripts to populate Postgres databases with custom subscriber information provided by our clients.
Agilent Technologies, Portsmouth, NH	2000 to 2003
*Technical Support Engineer*
Provided second and third-level technical support for routing protocols, router configuration, and routing hardware while meeting customer expectations and time constraints.
Provided technical support and training of protocol, hardware, and service to first-level support groups including Phone Support and Field Support.
Acted as a focal point of communication between worldwide Service and Support organizations and Engineering. Ensured thorough and ongoing follow-up and updates with customers and relevant personnel through to resolution.
Assisted with the creation and maintenance of technical reference material for internal support and customer use based on known technical issues.
Provided support for escalated customer issues and determined root cause of complex routing issues via issue recreation, site visits, or confirmation of historical data.
Enterasys, Rochester, NH	1995 to 2000
*Product Support Engineer / Product Specialist*
Provided third-level technical support for networking hardware and technologies.
Provided technical support and training to second level support groups.
Created and maintained technical documentation for internal support and customer use.
Provided support for escalated customer issues and resolved complex network issues via issue recreation and site visits.
Conducted weekly departmental meetings to disseminate information

Education
University of New Hampshire - Continuing Education, Durham, NH	1991
General Studies, including Calculus I, Calculus II, and Sociology