The Proof of Concept Engineer is responsible for executing technical proofs of concept for new products, collaborating across teams, and ensuring customer success in complex network environments.
Company Description:
Nexthop AI is a team of industry-leading professionals with deep hardware and software expertise spanning silicon, systems, network operations and cloud development, dedicated to building innovative, bleeding-edge solutions for large-scale AI deployments. The team culture thrives on collaboration, creativity and fun while delivering foundational technologies for next-generation AI infrastructure.
Job Responsibilities:
- Deliver exceptional customer experiences by executing thorough technical proof of concepts for new products and solutions that match customer deployments
- Develop deep expertise in our products and solutions - collaborate closely with Software and Hardware Engineering teams to diagnose issues and with Customer Engineering team to ensure customer success
- Responsible for testing our products (hardware and software) for functionality, scale and performance, network operations and interoperability, benchmarking against customer specific requirements
- Maintain documentation of detailed test plans, topologies vetted by customers and drive fixes for issues encountered during POC to enhance our product offering and test coverage
- Present the POC findings to internal and external stakeholders
- Responsible to maintain the testbed across multiple product generations
- Required to invest in automation best practices, maximize throughput and minimize time taken to support multiple POCs
Qualifications: We're seeking individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative startup and possess exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong aptitude for taking initiative and learning. Additionally we value individuals who practice and instill customer empathy. The following skills are essential for this role,
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field
- Minimum 10 years of experience in Proof of Concept or Systems/Solutions Testing across network technologies
- Leadership roles require 15+ years of experience delivering customer success in pre-sales/POC engagements
- Proficient in networking technologies software with hands-on experience across diverse Network Operating Systems (NOS) such as IOS, IOS-XR, EOS, and Junos
- Experience with SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) or any Open source OS is highly desirable
- Proven ability to effectively debug and troubleshoot complex networking issues.
- Significant experience in DevOps, Network Operations, or Network Engineering within a cloud provider or enterprise-level team
Why Us:
Our company bolsters all the advantages of working at a startup with the expertise of a seasoned team who have successfully built startups into thriving companies. Here you’ll have the unique opportunity to collaborate and learn from top-tier engineers, while still working on mission critical projects. If you are excited to learn, solve hard problems at the forefront of computer systems, and be a part of shaping a burgeoning company, this is the place for you.
Nexthop AI Santa Clara, California, USA Office
Santa Clara, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
Build and maintain compute infrastructure, scheduling, capacity, and resource-management systems across private and public clouds. Develop software-defined infrastructure, automation, performance tests, forecasting tools, and reliability improvements. Collaborate with networking, orchestration, and SRE teams, participate in design reviews and on-call rotations, investigate incidents, and explore AI or ML for capacity and placement optimization.
Top Skills:
AnsibleAWSAzureBlock StorageCloud InfrastructureConfiguration ManagementDnsFile StorageGCPGoHTTPInfrastructure As CodeIp NetworkingJavaKubernetesLinuxLoad BalancersNtpPythonSlurmTerraformVirtualization
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
Designs and evolves large-scale compute scheduling, resource management, capacity planning, and performance systems across private and public clouds. Applies AI and machine learning to forecasting, anomaly detection, and placement optimization. Owns infrastructure automation, reliability, incident response, architectural decisions, cross-team collaboration, and technical mentorship for enterprise SaaS compute platforms.
Top Skills:
AnsibleAPIsAWSAzureBlock StorageDistributed SystemsDnsFile StorageGCPGoHTTPInfrastructure As CodeIp NetworkingJavaKubernetesLoad BalancersMachine LearningMicroservicesNtpPythonSlurmTerraform
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Insurance • Marketing Tech • Software • Analytics
Manages routine to moderately complex workers’ compensation claims from investigation through resolution. Evaluates coverage, liability, compensability, damages, and reserves; develops action plans; conducts investigations; coordinates with claimants, policyholders, attorneys, appraisers, and other parties; refers appropriate cases for subrogation or special investigation; and negotiates settlements within assigned authority.
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
