Role & seniority: Network Automation Engineer (mid-level; 3+ years in network automation, 3+ years Cisco networking)

Stack / tools: Ansible, YAML, Jinja2, Git; Python (REST API integrations); Cisco IOS-XE, NX-OS, ASA/FTD; CI/CD (GitLab CI, Jenkins, GitHub Actions); NetBox, Nornir, Terraform (plus telemetry/validation tools: pyATS, Genie, Batfish)

Top 3 responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks/roles for multi-vendor network devices; implement IaC and reusable automation frameworks
Build modular automation pipelines integrated with CI/CD; automate configuration, provisioning, and software image management
Automate compliance verification/reporting (DISA STIG, RMF, C2C) and integrate with change/config management; provide training and documentation

Must-have skills

3+ years Cisco networking experience; 3+ years in network automation
Proficiency with Ansible, YAML, Jinja2, Git; Python for REST API integration
Experience automating IOS-XE, NX-OS, ASA/FTD; familiarity with CI/CD tools
TCP/IP, routing (BGP/OSPF/EIGRP), VLANs, QoS, ACLs; ability to work in DoD/compliant environments

Nice-to-haves

Cisco DevNet/CCNP/Red Hat Ansible Automation certifications
SDN familiarity (ACI, DNA Center, NSX); Zero Trust / C2C automation
NetBox/Nornir/Terraform experience; multi-domain integration (cloud networking, firewalls, NAC)
Experience with DoD standards documentation
Location & work type: Alexandria, VA (Remot

Full Description

Position: Network Automation Engineer

Location: Alexandria, VA (Remote).

Duration: 6+Month Contract

Clearance: Secret Clearance Required

This position may require occasional travel. Flexible working hours and remote work options are available.

Roles and responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks, roles, and collections to automate configuration and compliance for routers, switches, firewalls, and other network devices.
Create reusable automation frameworks to support multi-vendor environments (Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto, etc.).
Build modular automation pipelines integrated with CI/CD tools (GitLab CI, Jenkins, or GitHub Actions).
Develop Python scripts and RESTful API integrations for custom automation and reporting workflows.
Collaborate with network architects to translate manual network operations into automated workflows.
Implement infrastructure-as-code best practices for repeatable deployments and version-controlled configurations.
Integrate network automation into change management, configuration management, and compliance enforcement systems.
Support large-scale configuration rollouts, template-based provisioning, and software image management.
Incorporate DISA STIG, DoD RMF, and Comply-to-Connect (C2C) standards into automation workflows.
Automate compliance verification and reporting against federal cybersecurity policies.
Ensure automation pipelines maintain the integrity, traceability, and security required for classified and controlled environments.
Partner with network and security teams to identify automation opportunities and standardize workflows.
Provide training, documentation, and code reviews for team adoption of automation practices.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in Cisco networking, with at least 3 years in a network automation role.

Technical Skills

o Strong understanding of TCP/IP, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), VLANs, QoS, and ACLs.
o Proficiency with Ansible, YAML, Jinja2, and Git.
o Experience automating Cisco IOS-XE, NX-OS, ASA/FTD, and wireless controllers.
o Familiarity with Python scripting for REST API integration and data manipulation.
o Experience with configuration management and CI/CD platforms (GitLab, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).

Network Automation Engineer