Lead Network Automation Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology•Arlington, TX

9d•Hybrid

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 expertise. The engineer will work with network administrators, engineers, architects, and customer stakeholders to turn technical requirements into scalable, reliable, maintainable automation. The position also mentors a small team and helps establish repeatable engineering practices that improve operational efficiency, accelerate configuration deployments, reduce manual effort, and increase network consistency and reliability. The role is hybrid, requiring three days per week onsite at the Pentagon and two days remote. It requires an active TS/SCI clearance and the ability to work onsite in a secure customer environment. The position is based in Arlington, Virginia, and is scheduled for 40 hours per week with no travel required. GDIT describes its mission-centered culture as offering career growth, internal mobility support, comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, competitive pay, paid time off, and a military-friendly workplace. The stated likely salary range is $144,500–$195,500; actual compensation may vary based on experience, location, and contractual requirements.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI security clearance.
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 and ability to engage 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 solutions in an enterprise or similarly complex networking environment.
Eight or more years of related experience are listed in the job qualifications; the posting also states that relevant technical experience and proven engineering accomplishments will be prioritized over a specific number of years in a particular job title.
U.S. citizenship required.

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+.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain network automation solutions using Python and Ansible.
Create Ansible playbooks, Python scripts, and reusable modules for network configuration management, provisioning, patching, maintenance, and operational tasks.
Automate device configuration changes, software updates, configuration backups, compliance checks, and operational validation across multivendor networks.
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 administrative work and improve 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 technical requirements and operational challenges.
Translate network engineering specifications into functional automation playbooks, scripts, and workflows.
Evaluate manual network administration processes and identify opportunities for automation.
Collaborate with infrastructure and cybersecurity teams to ensure solutions meet operational and security requirements.
Validate automation with network engineering stakeholders before production deployment.
Provide recommendations on implementation approaches, feasibility, and operational considerations.
Serve as technical lead for a small team of network automation engineers, providing direction, mentorship, and hands-on support.
Coordinate and assign automation development activities according to engineering priorities.
Conduct code reviews and promote consistent development, testing, documentation, and version-control practices.
Establish reusable development standards and promote knowledge sharing and technical coaching.
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 approaches for source-code management, testing, documentation, and deployment.
Develop maintainable automation solutions that other engineers can support and enhance.
Assist with development, testing, and production deployment controls.
Document workflows, technical dependencies, operating procedures, and troubleshooting guidance.
Measure automation effectiveness through task-execution time, configuration consistency, reduced manual activity, and operational reliability.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages.
401(k) with company match.
Medical plan options, including some with Health Savings Accounts.
Dental plan options.
Vision plan.
Flexible work weeks where possible.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, and paid parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
Short- and long-term disability benefits.
Life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance offered or available.
Career growth tool and learning opportunities.
Internal mobility support.
Competitive pay.