Network DevOps Engineer

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 49,500 - 60,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus: Up to £2,500

Pension: up to 14%

Paid overtime

Flexi Leave: up to 15 days

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals

Job summary

MBDA in Bolton seeks a Network DevOps Engineer to modernise network management, automate infrastructure and upskill the team. You will build an automated network platform using Python and implement CI/CD pipelines, with emphasis on reliability and scalable tooling.

The role requires strong Python engineering skills, experience with REST/GraphQL APIs, Ansible automation and Git/GitLab-based workflows. Hybrid working, salary up to £55k, and BPSS with DV clearance path.

Qualifications

• Advanced Python with OOP, design patterns and testable code.
• Strong Python testing methods and network automation API testing.
• Experience designing/consuming REST and GraphQL APIs using Django REST Framework, FastAPI, Pydantic.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain production-grade software and tools to manage network infrastructure at scale.
• Champion software engineering best practices within the team, including code reviews and testing.
• Establish automated testing strategy and select tools/frameworks.
• Develop data models and automation jobs to extend network Source of Truth.
• Build and manage CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment.
• Collaborate on Ansible playbooks/roles for network configuration.
• Upskill team members to grow software engineering capabilities.

Skills

Python

REST APIs

GraphQL

Django REST

FastAPI

Pydantic

Git

GitLab

Ansible

CI/CD

Networking basics

OpenShift

Tools

Ansible

Git

GitLab

Nautobot

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Job Overview

Bolton – An exciting opportunity for a driven Network DevOps Engineer to join MBDA's multi‑national Digital Excellence function. Ideal candidates are passionate about modernising network management, driving automation initiatives and upskilling others. You will contribute to building an automated network infrastructure that underpins MBDA's critical systems and supports its rapidly evolving organisational needs.

Compensation and Working Conditions

• Salary: Up to £55,000 depending on experience
• Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2‑3 days per week on‑site, depending on business need (may require more than two days during some weeks)
• Security Clearance: British Citizen Only. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team; SC clearance will be applied for after successful BPSS. This role requires gaining DV Clearance. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply.

Benefits

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 based on company performance
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution up to 14%
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements welcome
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility treatments
• Facilities: Subsidised meals, free car parking and more

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain production‑grade software and custom tools, primarily using Python, to manage network infrastructure at scale.
• Champion software engineering best practices within the team, including code reviews, unit testing and writing clean, maintainable code.
• Establish automated software testing strategy, evaluating and selecting tools and frameworks.
• Manage and extend the network Source of Truth by developing custom data models, plugins and state‑driven automation jobs.
• Build and manage CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment of network changes.
• Collaborate on developing Ansible playbooks and roles for network configuration, applying software development principles for improved reliability and maintainability.
• Support and upskill existing team members to develop their software engineering capabilities.

Essential Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Python with strong grasp of OOP, design patterns and writing testable, maintainable code.
• Solid experience with Python testing methodologies and designing/testing strategies for network automation applications and APIs.
• Strong experience in designing, consuming and integrating REST and GraphQL APIs using frameworks such as Django REST Framework, FastAPI and Pydantic.
• Proficiency with standard data structures, serialisation and templating languages (e.g., JSON, YAML, Jinja2).
• In‑depth understanding of DevOps principles and Agile software development methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban).
• Experience using version control systems, specifically Git and GitLab.
• Practical experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines within GitLab to streamline automation workflows.
• Hands‑on experience using Ansible to automate and manage network configurations.
• Familiarity with core networking principles (TCP/UDP, IP, DNS, routing, switching, subnetting, VLANs). Deep network engineering experience is not required; effective collaboration with network specialists is key.

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with network‑specific testing frameworks such as PyATS.
• Experience with Cisco technologies, specifically Catalyst Center and/or ACI.
• Experience using Nautobot (or similar Django‑based applications) as a Network Source of Truth application.
• Experience with data mocking and/or factory libraries (e.g., mock, factory_boy) to validate complex data schemas and API contracts.
• Proficient in using a Linux OS distribution, preferably RHEL.
• Practical experience or understanding of virtualization and containerisation technologies, specifically Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.