Network Automation Engineer
Posted Today by Haystack
Negotiable
Inside
Remote
Gloucester, England, United Kingdom
Summary: This role is for a Network Automation Engineer tasked with leading the deployment of innovative greenfield data centres by treating networks as software products. The position involves transforming traditional network architecture into automated solutions using a NetDevOps stack, including Ansible and Python. It is a high-impact, 6-month contract that emphasizes Infrastructure as Code and self-healing networks. The role offers a remote-friendly working model with occasional site visits to Bristol.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement sophisticated Ansible roles and Jinja2 templates for automating Cisco and Fortinet devices.
- Maintain the network "Source of Truth" using NetBox for programmatic access to physical and logical assets.
- Develop custom Python scripts and integrations utilizing REST APIs and Netconf.
- Build and manage NetDevOps pipelines using GitLab and GitHub Actions for network changes.
- Automate networking layers for VMware Cloud Foundation platforms, collaborating with compute teams.
Key Skills:
- Mastery of Network Automation tools, specifically Ansible and Python.
- Deep expertise in Data Centre Fabric technologies, including Cisco NDFC/NX-OS and Fortinet FortiGate Firewalls.
- Proven experience with NetBox and Git-based version control workflows.
- Practical knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
- Strong understanding of virtualization automation, particularly VMware VCF or NSX-T; Terraform experience is a plus.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Gloucester
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
We're working with a leading global talent consultancy and infrastructure specialist on this exciting opportunity. We are seeking a visionary engineer to lead the charge in deploying cutting-edge greenfield data centres by treating networks as software products. This is a high-impact, 6-month contract where you will transform traditional network architecture into streamlined, automated solutions using an advanced NetDevOps stack including Ansible, Python, and CI/CD pipelines. If you are passionate about Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and building self-healing networks, this is the project for you.
The Role
- Design and implement sophisticated Ansible roles and Jinja2 templates to automate the full life cycle of Cisco and Fortinet devices.
- Maintain the network "Source of Truth" using NetBox, ensuring all physical and logical assets are modeled for programmatic access.
- Develop custom Python scripts and integrations utilizing REST APIs and Netconf to connect complex infrastructure platforms.
- Build and manage robust NetDevOps pipelines using GitLab and GitHub Actions to validate, test, and deploy network changes with precision.
- Automate networking layers for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) platforms, collaborating with compute teams via VCF and NSX-T APIs.
What You'll Need
- Mastery of Network Automation tools, specifically Ansible (Roles/Playbooks) and Python for scripting and custom tooling.
- Deep expertise in Data Centre Fabric technologies, including Cisco NDFC/NX-OS and Fortinet FortiGate Firewalls.
- Proven experience with NetBox as a Source of Truth and Git-based version control workflows.
- Practical knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks within a networking environment.
- Strong understanding of virtualization automation, particularly VMware VCF or NSX-T; Terraform experience is a significant plus.
What's On Offer
- Competitive day rate (Umbrella) for a high-profile greenfield data centre project.
- Long-term contract flexibility with a 6-month initial term and extension options.
- Remote-friendly working model with occasional site visits to Bristol to see your automation in action.
- The chance to work within a vibrant, forward-thinking team that treats networking as a software product.
Apply via Haystack today!