Lead Network Automation Engineer

Description

The company needs a Lead Network Automation Engineer to build, roll out and maintain automation for a complex, multivendor enterprise network.

You will combine solid network engineering knowledge with strong hands-on skill in Python and Ansible.

You will work with network administrators, engineers, architects and customer stakeholders to turn technical requirements into automation that is scalable, reliable and easy to maintain.

This is a hands-on technical lead role. You will write production-ready automation, mentor a small team of automation engineers and help set up repeatable engineering practices.

You will help improve day-to-day network operations by speeding up configuration deployments, cutting manual work and making infrastructure changes more consistent and dependable.

Hybrid role: 3 days a week on-site at the Pentagon and 2 days remote.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, deploy and maintain network automation with Python and Ansible.
• Write Ansible playbooks, Python scripts and reusable modules for configuration management, provisioning, patching, maintenance and routine operations.
• Automate device configuration changes, software updates, configuration backups, compliance checks and operational validation across multivendor networks.
• Build automation for Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Aruba and other enterprise networking platforms.
• Add automated configuration validation, state verification and drift detection to improve reliability and compliance.
• Create automation for monitoring, reporting, inventory and operational data collection.
• Build standardized, reusable components that cut repetitive admin work and make engineering more consistent.
• Include error handling, logging, validation and rollback in automated network changes.
• Troubleshoot automation failures and fix problems where automation tools meet network infrastructure.
• Work directly with network administrators, engineers and architects to understand requirements and operational problems.
• Turn network engineering specifications into working playbooks, scripts and workflows.
• Review manual administration processes and find where automation can help.
• Work with infrastructure and cybersecurity teams so automation meets operational and security requirements.
• Check automation with network engineering stakeholders before it goes into production.
• Advise on implementation approaches, feasibility and operational impact.
• Lead a small team of network automation engineers as their technical lead.
• Give technical direction, mentoring and hands-on help to team members.
• Assign automation work according to established engineering priorities.
• Run code reviews and enforce consistent practices for development, testing, documentation and version control.
• Set reusable development standards and share knowledge across the automation team.
• Coach junior and mid-level engineers through technical guidance and joint problem solving.
• Report progress, technical issues, dependencies and delivery risks to engineering and program leadership.
• Improve existing Python scripts and Ansible playbooks while growing the team's automation capability.
• Set consistent approaches to source control, testing, documentation and deployment.
• Build automation that other engineers can support and extend.
• Help put development, testing and production deployment controls in place.
• Document workflows, dependencies, operating procedures and troubleshooting steps.
• Track automation results through task execution time, configuration consistency, reduction in manual work and operational reliability.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Able to work on-site in a secure customer environment.
• Advanced Python skill for building scripts, modules and applications for network automation.
• Advanced hands-on experience building, troubleshooting and maintaining Ansible playbooks and workflows.
• Proven experience automating configuration deployment, device administration, software patching or other network operations.
• Working knowledge of enterprise routing and switching, including TCP/IP, VLANs, routing protocols and device configuration.
• Practical experience administering, troubleshooting or automating enterprise networks.
• Experience with multivendor networks using Cisco, Juniper, Arista or Aruba.
• Experience with Git or similar version control for automation code.
• Ability to turn network engineering requirements into working automation.
• Understanding of automation testing, error handling, logging, change validation and operational safeguards.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex workflows involving network devices, APIs and automation systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring or directing other engineers.
• Strong communication skills for working with administrators, engineers, architects and technical stakeholders.
• Able to carry out assigned engineering work independently and deliver maintainable, production-ready solutions.
• Experience documenting technical solutions and reporting requirements, issues and results.
• Proven record delivering network automation in an enterprise or similarly complex environment. Relevant experience and engineering results count more than years in a specific title.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8+ years of related experience.
• US citizenship required.
• Preferred: experience automating Cisco IOS XE, IOS XR, Juniper JunOS, Arista EOS or ArubaOS.
• Preferred: understanding of routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, MPLS or EVPN.
• Preferred: experience with Python networking libraries, APIs, SSH-based automation or structured configuration management.
• Preferred: experience with Jinja2 templates and generating network configuration automatically.
• Preferred: familiarity with Nornir, Netmiko, NAPALM or similar frameworks.
• Preferred: experience with Ansible Automation Platform or AWX.
• Preferred: experience with REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF or other programmatic management interfaces.
• Preferred: familiarity with CI/CD and automated testing for infrastructure automation.
• Preferred: experience building configuration compliance, drift detection or automated validation.
• Preferred: experience in Department of Defense, federal or other highly regulated environments.
• Preferred: experience leading a small technical team or mentoring automation engineers.
• Preferred: certifications such as Cisco CCNP, Cisco DevNet, Juniper, Red Hat Ansible or CompTIA Security+.

Conditions

Hybrid: 3 days a week on-site at the Pentagon, 2 days remote.

Full-time, 40 scheduled hours per week.

No travel required.

Location: Arlington, VA, USA.

Salary likely between $144,500 and $195,500, set by experience, location and possibly contract terms, and may fall outside that range.

US citizenship required.

Identity verification with biometrics and AI is part of hiring, and you must be on camera during virtual interviews.

GDIT is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Benefits

• Medical plans, some with Health Savings Accounts, plus dental and vision plans.
• 401(k) with pre- and post-tax contributions up to IRS limits and a company match.
• Flex work weeks where possible and paid time off: vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave.
• Short- and long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel accident insurance, provided or available.
• AI-powered career tool that suggests career steps and learning, plus an internal mobility team.
• Competitive pay and paid time off.
• Company culture focused on innovation and a military-friendly workplace.