Lead Network Automation Engineer
General Dynamics Information Technology3 days ago
Arlington, VA, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$128k - $173k/yr
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain Python and Ansible network automation solutions.
- Create playbooks, scripts, reusable modules, and workflows for configuration management, provisioning, patching, backups, compliance, monitoring, and operational validation.
- Automate configuration changes, software updates, state verification, drift detection, and network inventory across multivendor environments.
- Implement error handling, logging, validation, rollback, testing, and operational safeguards for production network changes.
- Troubleshoot automation failures and integration issues involving network devices, APIs, and automation systems.
- Translate requirements from network administrators, engineers, architects, and stakeholders into functional automation solutions.
- Lead, mentor, coordinate, and provide technical direction to a small team of network automation engineers.
- Conduct code reviews and establish standards for development, documentation, version control, testing, and deployment.
- Document workflows, dependencies, operating procedures, troubleshooting guidance, and automation effectiveness.
- Help transition isolated scripts and playbooks into a consistent, maintainable network automation capability.
Requirements
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to work onsite in a secure customer environment.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- At least 8 years of related experience.
- Advanced proficiency developing Python scripts, modules, and applications for network infrastructure automation.
- Advanced hands-on experience developing, troubleshooting, and maintaining Ansible playbooks and automation workflows.
- Experience automating network configuration deployments, device administration, software patching, or related network operations.
- Working knowledge of enterprise routing and switching fundamentals, including TCP/IP, VLANs, and routing protocols.
- Experience administering, troubleshooting, or automating enterprise network infrastructure.
- Experience with multivendor environments such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, or Aruba.
- Experience using Git or comparable version control tools for automation code.
- Ability to translate network engineering requirements into functional, production-ready automation solutions.
- Understanding of automation testing, error handling, logging, change validation, and operational safeguards.
- Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, or direction to other engineers.
- Experience documenting technical solutions and communicating implementation requirements, issues, and results.
- Preferred experience with Cisco IOS XE, Cisco IOS XR, Juniper JunOS, Arista EOS, ArubaOS, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, EVPN, Python networking libraries, APIs, SSH-based automation, Jinja2, Nornir, Netmiko, NAPALM, Ansible Automation Platform, AWX, REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, configuration compliance, drift detection, and automated validation.
- A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Relevant certifications such as Cisco CCNP, Cisco DevNet, Juniper certifications, Red Hat Ansible certifications, or CompTIA Security+ are preferred.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, life, accident, critical illness, and business travel insurance options.
- 401(k) plan with company matching and pre-tax and post-tax contribution options.
- Paid vacation, sick, personal, holiday, parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
- Full flex work weeks where possible and wellness programs.
- Scheduled for 40 hours per week with no travel required.
- Onsite position in Arlington, Virginia, supporting a secure customer environment.
- Growth opportunities, internal mobility support, and an award-winning innovation and military-friendly culture.
About General Dynamics Information Technology
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) delivers enterprise IT, systems integration, cybersecurity, cloud, and software engineering services to U.S. federal agencies, including defense and intelligence organizations. It provides contract-based professional and managed services ranging from network operations and unified communications to training and simulation. GDIT is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) and is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.