Network Automation Engineer

Automation EngineerTeam: HNS Security – Global Automation (Network Focused) Location: Atlanta, GA or Cincinnati, OH preferred (Remote as 3rd option) Duration: 6 months (possible extension)RoleLead enterprise network automation initiatives. Build and enhance automation platforms end-to-end across environments. Must have implemented automation from scratch — not partial contributor.Must Have4–5 years enterprise experience2+ years strong hands-on automationPython, Terraform (mandatory), AnsibleTerraform required (CloudFormation alone not sufficient)Dedicated automation specialist (not general DevOps)SecurityAutomation-first role. Security background preferred but not required.Day-to-DayPlatform-based automation projectsEnvironment setupService automation buildoutMove to next platformMix of Python tooling + infra automationWork ModelAtlanta or Cincinnati strongly preferredHybrid starting MayRemote only for strong candidatesInterview ProcessHiring Manager - 1st roundTechnical Leads - 2nd roundHands-on Automation Lab Test/Assessment - 3rd/final roundNotes6-month contract (extension possible)Looking for true automation transformation experienceLab will assess real hands-on capabilityAbout The Role:Client is seeking an Automation Engineer to design, build, and operate automation that accelerates delivery, reduces operational toil, and improves reliability across client’s environments.Candidates will use Python, Terraform, and Ansible to implement infrastructure as code, configuration management, and workflow automation.Candidate’s work will integrate with GitHubbased CI/CD practices and ServiceNow change processes, ensuring changes are safe, auditable, and repeatable.Candidates will collaborate with security, platform, network, and application teams to embed guardrails, create runbooks, and continuously improve the developer and operator experience.Candidates Will Be Doing:Design and develop Pythonbased tooling, scripts, and services to automate operational tasks, integrate with third-party APIs, and orchestrate change workflows.Build and maintain reusable Terraform modules and environments, enabling predictable, idempotent provisioning and lifecycle management across targets.Create and operate Ansible roles and playbooks for configuration, patching, compliance baselines, application deployment, and drift remediation. Integrate automation into CI/CD using GitHub (branching, pull requests, reviews, checks), adding validation, linting, and plan/apply gates.Implement observability for automation (structured logs, metrics, alerts) and maintain SOPs/runbooks, including rollback and recovery steps.Embed securityby-default: secrets management, least-privilege identities for automation, and audit trails aligned to PCI requirements.Partner with crossfunctional teams to translate requirements into safe, versioned, and tested automation; contribute to internal documentation and knowledge bases.Candidates Need (Required):3 to 5 years of experience in an enterprise environment.Minimum 2 years of handson automation experience delivering production outcomes.Strong proficiency with Python, Terraform, and Ansible.Practical GitHub experience (branching strategies, pull requests, code reviews, reusable workflows).Experience integrating automation with change/ITSM processes using ServiceNow. Comfortable working with Linux fundamentals, YAML/JSON, templating, APIs (REST/JSON), and idempotent design patterns.Clear written and verbal communication skills and a systematic, documented troubleshooting approach.Nice To Have (Preferred):Experience with transition or transformation to Infrastructure as Code (IaC).AWS Lambda for eventdriven automation; familiarity with serverless patterns and orchestration.Container and image automation fundamentals (Docker, Kubernetes, Packer).Secrets management (e.g., HashiCorp, Vault, KMS, Secrets Manager).Key Performance Indicators:Percentage of infrastructure and configuration managed via Terraform and Ansible.Change success rate for automated changes and rollback frequency.Lead time from request to automated delivery and deployment frequency.MTTR for automation incidents and scope of autoremediation coverage. Reduction in manual steps and operator toil hours per workflow.Work Practices And Governance:Follow standard change control with peer review, test/stage validation, approvals, and defined rollback plans.Maintain highquality documentation for modules, roles, pipelines, and runbooks.Enforce leastprivilege access and auditable evidence to support PCI compliance.