Lead Network Automation Engineer

GD Information Technology•Arlington, TX

3d•$127,500 - $172,500•Onsite

About The Position

GDIT is seeking a Lead Network Automation Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of automation solutions for a complex, multivendor enterprise network. This hands-on technical leadership position combines network engineering fundamentals with advanced Python and Ansible expertise. The role works with network administrators, engineers, architects, and customer stakeholders to turn technical requirements into scalable, reliable, maintainable automation. The engineer will lead and mentor a small team, establish repeatable engineering practices, and improve operational efficiency, configuration consistency, and network reliability. The position requires an active TS/SCI clearance and onsite work in a secure customer environment in Arlington, Virginia. The role develops and maintains production-ready automation for network configuration management, provisioning, patching, maintenance, validation, monitoring, reporting, inventory, and operational data collection across multivendor environments. It also establishes practices for source control, testing, documentation, deployment, and sustainment, and communicates progress, risks, and technical recommendations to engineering and program leadership. The likely salary range is $127,500–$172,500; actual compensation may vary based on experience, geographic location, and contractual requirements. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week, with no travel required. GDIT describes benefits that include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and wellness offerings. The role is onsite.

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 issues involving network devices, APIs, and automation systems.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentoring, or direction to other engineers.
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage network administrators, engineers, architects, and other 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.
US citizenship required.
Eight or more years of related experience are listed in the job qualifications; the description also states that relevant technical experience and proven engineering accomplishments will be prioritized over a specific number of years in a particular job title.

Nice To Haves

Experience automating Cisco IOS XE, IOS XR, Juniper JunOS, Arista EOS, or ArubaOS environments.
Understanding of BGP, OSPF, MPLS, or EVPN.
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.
Develop Ansible playbooks, Python scripts, and reusable modules for network configuration management, provisioning, patching, maintenance, and operational tasks.
Automate network 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 automated 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 and include appropriate error handling, logging, validation, and rollback capabilities.
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, then translate specifications into automation workflows.
Identify manual network administration processes that could be improved through automation.
Collaborate with infrastructure and cybersecurity teams to ensure solutions meet operational and security requirements.
Validate automation solutions with network engineering stakeholders before production deployment and provide technical recommendations.
Lead a small team of network automation engineers by providing technical direction, mentorship, and hands-on support.
Coordinate and assign development activities, conduct code reviews, and promote consistent development, testing, documentation, and version control practices.
Establish reusable development standards and support knowledge sharing and the development of junior and midlevel engineers.
Communicate progress, technical challenges, dependencies, and delivery risks to engineering and program leadership.
Enhance existing scripts and playbooks and expand the organization's automation capabilities.
Establish consistent source code management, testing, documentation, deployment, and production-control approaches.
Document workflows, 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.
Competitive pay.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal time, and holidays.
Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts.
Dental plan options.
Vision plan.
Paid parental leave.
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 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.