Senior Network Automation Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Network Automation Engineer to join a platform technology team in a senior individual contributor role focused on network automation. This position is responsible for the development, extension, and ongoing support of a production-grade network automation platform that spans multiple network domains and cloud environments.

The platform is built on a modern Python backend stack, including FastAPI, async/multi-process services, Kafka, Redis, and PostgreSQL. It integrates with Azure Data Explorer for telemetry and observability and provides operational interfaces through a Vue3 single-page application. Infrastructure is deployed across multiple clouds using Crossplane, and the network layer includes Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki, Webex, Adtran nCommand, Juniper, Arista, and Nokia (NFM-P/NFM-T). Identity and access management is handled through Auth0, Azure Entra ID, and a role-based access control (RBAC) model.

This is a senior-level role requiring genuine depth in both software engineering and network technologies. The ideal candidate will bring professional experience developing production Python services alongside meaningful hands-on knowledge of enterprise or service provider networking.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Python backend services using FastAPI, Pydantic, and SQLAlchemy, including async and multi-process service patterns
• Build and maintain event-driven integrations using Kafka
• Leverage Redis for caching and state management
• Develop and extend integrations with network management systems, including: Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki, Webex, Adtran nCommand, Juniper, Arista, Nokia NFM-P/NFM-T
• Contribute to telemetry data pipelines and observability tooling using Azure Data Explorer, Grafana, and custom dashboards
• Maintain and extend the Vue3 front end for operational and engineering tooling
• Manage infrastructure-as-code using Crossplane across multi-cloud environments
• Work within and extend the platform's identity and access control model using Auth0, Azure Entra ID, and RBAC
• Collaborate with network engineers and operations teams to translate domain requirements into platform capabilities
• Take ownership of deliverables across the full development lifecycle, including design, implementation, testing, deployment, and documentation

Required Qualifications

Software Engineering

• Demonstrated professional experience developing production Python services
• Experience with async frameworks, ORM-based data access, and service-oriented design patterns
• Experience building or working within event-driven architectures
• Hands-on Kafka experience is a strong plus
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL, including schema design and query optimization
• Working knowledge of JavaScript and front-end development
• Experience with Vue3 or a comparable modern front-end framework preferred
• Familiarity with OAuth2/OIDC, RBAC, and enterprise identity providers, including Auth0, Azure Entra ID, or equivalent
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code in cloud environments
• Crossplane or Terraform experience preferred
• Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and containerized application deployment
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes

Networking

• Meaningful hands-on experience in enterprise or service provider network environments, including design, operations, or engineering
• Strong working knowledge of BGP, OSPF, MPLS, SD-WAN, and network security fundamentals
• Familiarity with one or more of the following vendor platforms: Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki, Webex, Juniper, Arista, Nokia, Adtran
• Ability to read and interpret device configurations and network telemetry data
• Advanced networking certification strongly preferred, including CCNP or higher, or equivalent certification from Juniper, Arista, or Nokia
• CCIE or equivalent is a significant differentiator

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Azure Data Explorer, including KQL and telemetry ingestion pipelines
• Familiarity with streaming telemetry, including gNMI/gNMIc and model-driven telemetry from Cisco, Juniper, or Nokia platforms
• Experience with Nokia NFM-P/NFM-T or comparable OSS/NMS platforms
• Background in telco, service provider, or carrier-grade network environments
• Experience integrating network automation platforms with ITSM or OSS/BSS systems

What You'll Be Working With

• Software & Development: Python, FastAPI, Pydantic, SQLAlchemy, JavaScript, Vue3
• Data & Messaging: PostgreSQL, Kafka, Redis, Azure Data Explorer, KQL
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Multi-cloud environments, Crossplane, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD
• Networking: Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki, Webex, Adtran nCommand, Juniper, Arista, Nokia NFM-P/NFM-T
• Identity & Access: Auth0, Azure Entra ID, OAuth2/OIDC, RBAC
• Observability: Azure Data Explorer, Grafana, network telemetry, custom dashboards