Lead Network Automation Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology•Arlington, VA

4d•$127,500 - $172,500•Onsite

About The Position

GDIT is seeking a Lead Network Automation Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of network automation solutions for a complex, multivendor enterprise network. This hands-on technical leadership role combines network engineering fundamentals with advanced Python and Ansible skills. The engineer will work with network administrators, engineers, architects, and customer stakeholders to turn technical requirements into scalable, reliable, and maintainable production automation. The role also mentors a small team and establishes repeatable engineering practices. The successful candidate will improve operational efficiency, accelerate configuration deployments, reduce manual effort, and increase the consistency and reliability of network operations. Responsibilities span automation development and sustainment, requirements execution, team leadership, and establishing standards for source control, testing, documentation, and deployment. The position is onsite in a secure customer environment in Arlington, Virginia, requires an active TS/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship, and has a 40-hour scheduled workweek. The likely salary range is $127,500–$172,500, with compensation depending on experience, location, and potentially contractual requirements. GDIT describes its culture as mission-focused and offers career-growth resources, internal mobility support, benefits and wellness packages, a 401(k) with company match, competitive pay, and paid time off. The listed benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, life and other insurance options; paid leave; and flexible work weeks where possible.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to work onsite in a secure customer environment.
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.
Demonstrated experience automating network configuration deployments, device administration, software patching, or other network operational activities.
Working knowledge of enterprise routing and switching fundamentals, including TCP/IP, VLANs, routing protocols, and network device configuration.
Practical experience administering, troubleshooting, or automating enterprise network infrastructure.
Experience with multivendor networking environments, such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, or Aruba.
Experience using Git or comparable version control tools to maintain automation code.
Ability to translate network engineering requirements into functional automation solutions.
Understanding of automation testing, error handling, logging, change validation, and operational safeguards.
Ability to troubleshoot complex automation workflows and resolve issues involving network devices, APIs, and automation systems.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentoring, or direction to other engineers.
Strong communication skills with network administrators, engineers, architects, and technical stakeholders.
Ability to independently execute engineering requirements and deliver maintainable, production-ready solutions.
Experience documenting technical solutions and communicating implementation requirements, issues, and results.
Demonstrated success delivering network automation in an enterprise or similarly complex networking environment.
Eight or more years of related experience is listed in the job qualifications; the posting also states that relevant technical experience and proven accomplishments take priority over a specific number of years in a particular job title.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience automating Cisco IOS XE, IOS XR, Juniper JunOS, Arista EOS, or ArubaOS environments.
Understanding of BGP, OSPF, MPLS, or EVPN routing technologies and protocols.
Experience with Python networking libraries, APIs, SSH-based automation, or structured network configuration management.
Experience with Jinja2 templates and automated network configuration generation.
Familiarity with Nornir, Netmiko, NAPALM, or equivalent network automation frameworks.
Experience with Ansible Automation Platform or AWX.
Experience with REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, or other programmatic network management interfaces.
Familiarity with CI/CD practices and automated testing for infrastructure automation.
Experience developing network configuration compliance, drift detection, or automated validation solutions.
Experience supporting Department of Defense, federal government, or other highly regulated enterprise environments.
Experience leading a small technical team or mentoring automation engineers.
Relevant certifications such as Cisco CCNP, Cisco DevNet, Juniper certifications, Red Hat Ansible certifications, or CompTIA Security+.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain network automation solutions using Python and Ansible.
Develop Ansible playbooks, Python scripts, and reusable modules for configuration management, provisioning, patching, maintenance, and operational tasks.
Automate configuration changes, software updates, configuration backups, compliance checks, and operational validation across multivendor environments.
Develop automation for Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Aruba, and other enterprise networking technologies.
Implement configuration validation, network state verification, and configuration drift detection.
Build automation for network monitoring, reporting, inventory management, and operational data collection.
Create reusable automation components that reduce repetitive administration and improve engineering consistency.
Incorporate error handling, logging, validation, and rollback capabilities into automated network changes.
Troubleshoot automation failures and integration challenges involving automation tools and network infrastructure.
Work with network administrators, engineers, and architects to understand requirements and operational challenges.
Translate network engineering specifications into functional automation playbooks, scripts, and workflows.
Evaluate manual administration processes and identify opportunities to improve them through automation.
Collaborate with infrastructure and cybersecurity teams to meet operational and security requirements.
Validate automation solutions with network engineering stakeholders before production deployment.
Provide technical recommendations about implementation approaches, feasibility, and operational considerations.
Serve as technical lead for a small team of network automation engineers; provide direction, mentorship, and hands-on support.
Coordinate and assign automation development based on engineering priorities.
Conduct code reviews and promote consistent development, testing, documentation, and version control practices.
Establish reusable development standards and promote knowledge sharing across the team.
Coach junior and midlevel engineers through technical guidance and collaborative problem solving.
Communicate progress, challenges, dependencies, and delivery risks to engineering and program leadership.
Enhance existing Python scripts and Ansible playbooks and expand automation capabilities.
Establish consistent source code management, testing, documentation, and deployment practices.
Develop maintainable solutions that other engineers can support and enhance.
Assist with implementing development, testing, and production deployment controls.
Document workflows, technical dependencies, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guidance.
Measure automation effectiveness through execution time, configuration consistency, reduced manual work, and operational reliability.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages.
401(k) plan with company match.
Competitive pay.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
Medical plan options, including some with Health Savings Accounts.
Dental plan options.
Vision plan.
Short- and long-term disability benefits.
Life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available.
Full flex work weeks where possible.
AI-powered career tool identifying career steps and learning opportunities.
Internal mobility team focused on career goals.