Senior Network Software Engineer

Role Description

The Senior Network Software Engineer is an individual contributor within Internet2's Infrastructure Systems and Services (ISS) group, sitting on the Platforms and Automation subteam. This role is fundamentally a software engineering position applied to network service delivery: you write code, build automation pipelines, and develop platform integrations that accelerate how Internet2 provisions and operates services across its national R&E infrastructure.

The successful candidate is a strong programmer, preferably in Python, who brings enough network fluency to work effectively with network engineers and understand the domain. You don't need to be a career network engineer, but you should be comfortable reasoning about how networks work and motivated to learn more. Familiarity with containerization and cloud-native tooling (Kubernetes, Docker) is highly valued. Experience with Cisco NSO or similar network orchestration platforms is a genuine plus, though not a prerequisite.

Principal Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain network service automation packages and workflows using Python and related tooling, including service lifecycle management, collaborating with network engineers across multi-vendor environments.
• Collaborate with ISS team members on Periscope and related platform initiatives, and with Network Services team members on infrastructure services that leverage the NSO automation framework, contributing to service design reviews, technical roadmaps, capability planning, documentation, and community presentations.
• Build and maintain automation tooling, scripts, and CI/CD pipelines using Python, Docker, and Kubernetes to support infrastructure-as-code practices across network service delivery.
• Contribute to platform engineering efforts including containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), API development, and integration of automation systems with orchestration and monitoring platforms.
• Support operational activities including on-call rotation, incident response, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement of network reliability and automated service delivery.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, platform engineering, network automation, or equivalent experience, with demonstrated focus on building production-grade systems.
• 2+ years of Python as a primary development language.
• Hands-on work with CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar tools).
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration platforms, particularly Kubernetes and Docker, in a production or near-production context.
• Experience with version control (Git) and collaborative software development practices including code review, branching strategies, and documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both engineering and executive audiences.
• Must be able to work in a remote environment and support a team distributed across multiple time zones.
• Domestic travel 2-4 times per year.
• A cover letter must be attached.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Cisco NSO or similar network orchestration platforms, including service package development or workflow automation.
• Experience with Workflow Orchestrator (WFO) or comparable workflow automation platforms.
• Experience with the Trusted Infrastructure Program.
• Meaningful exposure to networking concepts and protocols, sufficient to collaborate effectively with network engineers and understand service delivery requirements. Working knowledge of BGP, MPLS, IP routing, or related technologies is a strong asset.
• Background in a research and education (R&E) network environment, Internet exchange, large-scale carrier, or ISP context.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Salt, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of optical networking and multi-layer service provisioning concepts.
• Experience with observability and monitoring toolchains such as Prometheus, Grafana, InfluxDB, or Elastic Stack in a network context.
• Relevant certifications such as Cisco DevNet Professional, CCNP/CCIE, CKA/CKAD, or equivalent.
• Experience contributing to or maintaining open-source automation tooling or technical publications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, vision and disability insurances.
• Health spending account program.
• Sick time and vacation time.
• Tax deferred retirement plan.

Expected Hiring Range

$125,600 – $141,300. Starting salary is typically within the first quartile of the range and varies based on experience.

For pay transparency purposes, the full salary range is: $125,600 – $188,400.

Company Description

Internet2 is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.