Network Automation Engineer

Title: Network Automation Engineer
Type: Contract - 6+ Months
Location: Mclean, VA - Hybrid

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Network Automation Engineer with deep expertise in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) to design, build, and maintain automated solutions for network operations. This role will focus on streamlining network workflows, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring consistent, compliant infrastructure across a multi-vendor environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks, roles, and workflows using Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP)
• Automate network operations including configuration management, provisioning, compliance checks, and operational tasks
• Implement scalable automation solutions across a multi-vendor network environment (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto)
• Collaborate with network engineering and operations teams to identify automation opportunities and optimize processes
• Troubleshoot and enhance existing automation frameworks to improve reliability and performance
• Ensure adherence to infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and network automation best practices
• Document automation workflows, standards, and operational procedures

Required Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP)
• Proven experience developing and maintaining Ansible playbooks and automation frameworks
• Solid background in network automation across multiple vendors, including:
  • Cisco Systems
  • Juniper Networks
  • Palo Alto Networks
• Experience automating:
  • Network configuration management
  • Device provisioning
  • Compliance and policy enforcement
  • Day 2 operational tasks
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals (routing, switching, firewalls)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Nautobot (Network to Code) or similar network source-of-truth platforms
• Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) principles and tools