Network Automation Engineer - Journeyman

Role: Network Automation Engineer - Journeyman

Location: Remote ( Washington, DC/Maryland) [Note: some travel to DC region for Occasional meetings will be required]

Duration: 12+ Months Contract

Task Description:

The Network Automation Engineer will play a critical role in enhancing USCIS''s network infrastructure through automation, thereby improving operational efficiency, reliability, and security. This position requires a strong technical background in network engineering coupled with proficiency in scripting and automation tools.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Network Automation: Design, develop, and implement network automation solutions using tools like Ansible, Python, or similar scripting languages to streamline network operations, configuration management, and monitoring.
2. Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Utilize IaC principles to manage and provision network devices and services, ensuring repeatability, consistency, and scalability.
3. Automation Framework: Develop and maintain a robust automation framework that includes testing, validation, and deployment processes.
4. Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Implement automated network monitoring tools and dashboards. Use data analytics to proactively identify and resolve network performance issues.
5. Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with networking, security, and DevOps teams to understand requirements, provide solutions, and ensure seamless integration of automation initiatives into existing workflows.
6. Documentation: Document automation processes, scripts, and configurations thoroughly for future reference and maintenance.
7. Security & Compliance: Incorporate security best practices into automation solutions to ensure the protection of sensitive data and adherence to USCIS''s cybersecurity standards.
8. Continuous Learning & Improvement: Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in network automation and continuously improve automation solutions based on feedback an new requirements.

Nice to have skills:

• Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. An advanced degree would be advantageous.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in network engineering and at least 1 years in network automation.
• Proficiency in network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, etc.), network devices (routers, switches), and network operating systems (Cisco IOS, NX-OS, etc.).
• Scripting skills in Python, with a good understanding of other languages like Bash, Perl, or PowerShell.
• Familiarity with network automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef, etc.), configuration management databases (CMDB), and version control systems (Git).
• Experience with network monitoring tools (Nagios, Zabbix, SolarWinds, etc.) and IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform) and their networking capabilities is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.