Cisco Network Automation Engineer

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The Engineer, Network Automation role is accountable for solving complex networking problems through code, automation, and modern delivery pipelines. This role will be instrumental in designing, automating, and implementing robust public and private network systems. This role is critical in supporting the organization’s current and future IT infrastructure through innovative design, system architecture, and collaborative execution to continuously improve the resiliency and flexibility of the organization’s networking infrastructure. Must have strong network technical expertise supporting the network infrastructure, including traditional route/switch, virtual route/switch, VMware NSX-T, datacenter connectivity, and complex wide area networking, including Cisco SD-WAN as well as leadership capabilities and a passion for designing secure, scalable, and cost-effective network solutions. This hands-on position will directly contribute to the overall enterprise network architecture and lead the vision and strategy for all networking aspects. Ability to work with modern network automation tooling, Python, Ansible, Cisco, and cloud-driven network environments.

• Proven ability to automate manual network processes by creating python and ansible scripts for network automation and updates.
• Implement and maintain standardized configurations.
• Monitor and report on automation success rates.
• Establish knowledge base, document standard config templates and standard operating procedures.
• Interfacing and providing support to network monitoring tools.
• Develop visibility and alerting systems to proactively identify performance and configuration issues.
• Drive ongoing evaluations and perform troubleshooting to ensure solution effectiveness.
• Infrastructure Optimization: Analyze existing network infrastructure and identify opportunities for optimization, including network consolidation, virtualization, automation, and overall continuous improvements to optimize performance.
• Capacity Planning: Conduct thorough capacity planning assessments to anticipate future network demands and proactively scale infrastructure resources as needed.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain thorough documentation of network designs, configurations, and procedures. Generate regular reports to communicate project status, performance metrics, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Responsible for developing effective network monitoring and solutions. Use these tools to measure and proactively monitor quality standards of network services, including outages, utilization, service degradations, and traffic analysis, ensuring excellence in execution and operational reliability.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate system policies and programs that enhance system integrity, security, and performance.
• Participate in peer reviews, design discussions, and architectural decisions.
• Possess a firm understanding of the interconnectivity within and to VMware, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and the Microsoft Azure platforms.
• Responsible for meeting network requirements for support of IP telephony solutions.
• Serve as the subject matter expert and primary point of contact for all network architecture activities and decisions.
• Lead the investigation into the root cause of problems, which may or may not be network issues and may involve the interaction of technologies across multiple platforms or disciplines.
• Adhere to corporate Change Control procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align network strategies with business goals and customer needs.
• Identify, research, evaluate and implement emerging network technologies.
• Occasional travel, off-hour and weekend work may be required.

• 5+ years ’of relevant IT experience, including 3+ years in a Network Technical role in an Enterprise-Scale multi-site network.
• 3+ years ’expert-level experience with Network support experience, network switching (capacity planning &VLANs), network routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), and WAN technologies.
• 3+ years ’of proven experience with network automation (Python, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, APIs).
• 1+ years ’experience with architectural and network support of Cloud Network Infrastructures and Managed Services on Azure and AWS.
• Experience with version control repository management software Gitlab, or DevOps workflows.
• Familiar and working knowledge of basic AI tools.
• Cloud Networking (AWS and Azure).
• API integration experience (REST, NetConf, etc.)
• CCNA, Cisco DevNet, or equivalent certifications.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Deep understanding of BGP routing within the context of carrier connectivity as well as internal systems connectivity, along with redistribution techniques into and from other routing technologies like EIGRP.
• Experience with large, wide-area networks of 1000+ sites and migrations to Cisco SD-WAN from traditional connectivity types.
• Working experience with wireless technologies, including Cisco AirOS,Cisco CatOS, Meraki and Aruba preferred.
• Strong knowledge and experience with Cisco routers and switches (Nexus), as well as Cisco Catalyst and Meraki (Cisco Cloud).
• Strong hands-on technical abilities and attention to detail.
• Experience with Cisco ISE/Catalyst Center, Meraki authentication, and Aruba Central.
• Deep understanding of Network design in various environments (LAN, WAN, Datacenter, Cloud).
• An understanding of firewall concepts (traditional and NextGen) and load balancing concepts is a plus.
• Ability to lead and contribute to high-level strategic design efforts.
• Strong grasp of cybersecurity best practices and the ability to integrate them into architecture decisions. Effective use of data to identify root causes and solve complex infrastructure issues.
• Experience prioritizing cross-functional requirements and aligning solutions accordingly. Experience leading cross-functional projects requiring consideration of enterprise impact.
• Define and identify business value for IT Projects/support changes with limited oversight.
• Ability to analyze or design technical network solutions and the impacts to the enterprise.
• Experience working in an environment with regulatory compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI, etc.)
• Very organized and detail oriented, with high degree of accuracy and follow-up.
• Self-motivated, reliable team player.
• Must possess desire to learn new technologies
• Prior healthcare environment experience is preferred.