Senior Network Automations Engineer

Overview:

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Senior Network Automation Engineer to determine and support Kubernetes platform service requirements for Platform as a Service architecture. This position will be located in Fort Bragg, NC, and is an on-site position.

The Senior Network Automation Engineer serves as a hybrid Network & Systems Engineer and Tactical Communications SME, responsible for leading the collaboration of cross-functional stakeholders in designing, building, automating, testing, and sustaining mission-critical network infrastructure in support of deployed and enterprise operations. This role integrates hands-on engineering, automation development, and operational support to deliver secure, scalable, and rapidly deployable network solutions

Key Responsibilities

• Network & Systems Engineer / Tactical Communications SME / Testing & Development
• Maintains subject matter expert-level awareness of current and emerging technologies through continuous research of technical manuals, vendor documentation, security advisories, and open-source resources.
• Leads evaluations and recommends hardware and software versions by validating:
• Minimum installation requirements
• Known defects and bugs
• Security bulletins and patches
• Compatibility with legacy systems
• Power constraints (including PoE considerations)
• Environmental and thermal limitations
• End‑user interoperability (notably SFP module compatibility)
• Collaborates with the JEDI team to enable bare‑metal provisioning of RHEL servers, leveraging Kickstart-based automation for PXE‑style rapid deployments
• Oversees the building of secure, mission‑ready network nodes from bare metal, including firmware/software upgrades, secure configuration baselines, tunnel establishment, and performance optimization.
• Conducts in-depth network connectivity testing, end‑user behavior analysis, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal throughput and reliability.
• Coordinates with multiple J6 functional areas when deploying new sites.
• Works directly with customers to ensure installations are plug‑and‑play, enabling rapid deployment within constrained logistical timelines.
• Developed the initial MFS Medium v2 configuration and influenced the MFS Heavy baseline.
• Rapidly identifies and resolves network configuration errors; provides validated solutions to the network automation team for integration and code deployment.
• Possesses deep operational knowledge of network architectures, protocols, and failure modes, allowing for expedited fault isolation and resolution.

Encryption Subject Matter Expert (SME)

• Holds strong working knowledge of encryptor configuration, firmware management, operational requirements, version enforcement, best practices, and troubleshooting.
• Diagnoses encryption issues based on customer‑reported symptoms and operational context.
• Identified and resolved a critical encryption key failure affecting a forward‑deployed Tier tactical node after multiple unsuccessful remediation attempts.
• Proficient with GemOne and Chimera management platforms.

Additional Operational Support

• Performs off‑site communications checks and equipment upgrades, including installation and airflow optimization to prevent overheating and equipment degradation
• Delivers expedited remote support to traveling customers, providing Cisco CLI commands to rapidly restore communications for senior leadership
• Detects and communicates probable hardware failures at distant ends during outage scenarios
• Assists with baselining and testing MFS kits under tight timelines or suspected hardware/software issues
• Collaborates with customers, ECS, and Tier units to troubleshoot connectivity issues and deliver targeted technical training
• Daily operational use of:
• Nautobot (IPAM and device management)
• AWX (administration and automation)
• Active Directory
• Forward Networks (topology and fault analysis)
• Splunk (detailed network/server logging)
• ServiceNow (ticketing and technical order tracking)
• Provides on‑site support for emergent taskings, including after‑hours operations

High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills and Experience

• Clearance Required: TS/SCI
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure
• Experience with Containerization technologies
• Experience with microservice network architecture
• Experience with troubleshooting and resolving technical problems with both on-site and remote administrators
• Ability to communicate technical ideas and deliver briefings with cross-functional teams, work in a high-demand environment, and provide technical expertise on all phases of system engineering activities
• Active and current U.S. Driver's License

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Supporting U.S. Special Operations organizations
• Cisco DevNet Associate
• Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation
• Aviatrix Certified Engineer Multicloud Network Automation Specialty
• Linux Essentials LPI
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator
• Certified Kubernetes Application Developer
• Experience with Terraform
• Experience with Cloud Native networking technologies and concepts
• Experience with Amazon Web Services
• Experience with developing tactical, expeditionary cross-domain solutions to deliver FMV across different environments, enclaves, and networks
• Experience with designing, installing, configuring, and troubleshooting expeditionary, global, regional, and disconnected networks, including internal LAN traffic, WAN, Satellite communications, commercial leased lines, long haul circuits, distributed packet processing, data compression, encryption, and various data transport systems
• Experience with evaluating projected network usage and reviewing utilization reports
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and working with Agile teams using collaboration tools such as Gitlab.
• Experience with working with CM tools, including Gitlab, Git-centric, and CI/CD workflows
• Knowledge of network engineering in cloud and disconnected edge environments
• Knowledge of Python scripting, writing Ansible playbooks, rudimentary APIs, or automation scripts
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code

#NSS #SSG #TMK #TM