Senior Network Automation Engineer (Remote)

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking telecommunications innovator, is seeking an exceptional Senior Network Automation Engineer to join their fully remote team. This role is pivotal in transforming our network operations through the development and implementation of advanced automation solutions. You will design, build, and maintain automated workflows, scripts, and tools to enhance network efficiency, reliability, and scalability across our extensive infrastructure. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of network protocols, modern programming languages, and CI/CD pipelines, coupled with a passion for leveraging automation to solve complex challenges. This is a unique opportunity to work from anywhere in South Africa (or globally, with specific legal considerations) and make a significant impact on a leading telecommunications network.

We are looking for a self-motivated, highly skilled engineer who thrives in a remote work environment and is committed to driving innovation in network automation. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of our network management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and deploy network automation solutions using Python, Ansible, and other relevant tools.
• Design and implement CI/CD pipelines for network infrastructure changes and deployments.
• Create and maintain reusable automation modules, playbooks, and scripts for network configuration, provisioning, and management.
• Integrate automation tools with network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) using APIs and standard protocols.
• Develop monitoring and reporting solutions to track the performance and effectiveness of automation scripts.
• Collaborate with network operations and engineering teams to identify automation opportunities and translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to automation scripts and infrastructure.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in network automation, DevOps, and cloud-native architectures.
• Contribute to the development of network architecture and design to support automation initiatives.
• Document automation processes, workflows, and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in network engineering or operations, with at least 4 years focused on network automation.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Go, or Ruby.
• Extensive experience with automation tools like Ansible, Terraform, Chef, or Puppet.
• Deep understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS) and network device configuration (Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Juniper Junos, Arista EOS).
• Experience with API development and usage (RESTful APIs).
• Familiarity with CI/CD concepts and tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively without direct supervision.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Opportunity to work fully remotely from Polokwane or any approved location.
• Generous annual leave and paid public holidays.
• Professional development budget for training, conferences, and certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge automation tools and technologies.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones.
• Contribution to a high-impact team shaping network operations.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Employee stock options or profit-sharing plan.