Network DevOps Engineer

Matchtech; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Paid overtime

Flexible working

Flexi Leave

Parental leave

Free parking

Job summary

Matchtech Group is recruiting a Network DevOps Engineer in the UK to modernise network management, drive automation, and apply software engineering practices. The role is hybrid, with 2-3 days on-site, and sponsorship for DV clearance is available.

You will help build automated network infrastructure, develop tools and platforms using Python, CI/CD, Ansible, and REST/GraphQL APIs, collaborating with network specialists in a secure environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced Python development skills with strong object-oriented programming and maintainable code practices.
• Experience designing and implementing software testing strategies and frameworks.
• Strong API development and integration experience (REST/GraphQL).
• Knowledge of JSON, YAML, Jinja2, and templating technologies.
• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and Agile delivery.
• Experience with Git/GitLab version control workflows.
• Proven experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
• Hands-on experience using Ansible for automation.
• Good networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, Routing, Switching, VLANs, Subnetting.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain production-grade software solutions and automation tools, primarily using Python.
• Champion software engineering best practices including code reviews, unit testing, and maintainable coding standards.
• Define and implement automated testing strategies for network automation platforms and APIs.
• Develop and extend the Network Source of Truth through data models, plugins, and automation workflows.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines to automate infrastructure testing and deployment.
• Develop and enhance Ansible playbooks and roles for network automation reliability and scalability.
• Support and mentor colleagues in software engineering methodologies and development practices.
• Drive innovation across network infrastructure management through automation and DevOps principles.

Skills

Python

API design

CI/CD practices

Unit testing

Software engineering

Networking fundamentals

Agile delivery

Mentoring

Tools

Git/GitLab

Ansible

FastAPI

Django REST Framework

Pydantic

JSON/YAML templating

Job description

Network DevOps Engineer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a driven Network DevOps Engineer to join a multinational Digital Excellence function. This role is ideal for someone passionate about modernising network management, driving automation initiatives, and enabling teams to adopt software engineering best practices. You'll play a key role in building an automated network infrastructure that supports critical systems and evolving business needs.

Location & Working Pattern

• Hybrid working, typically 2-3 days per week on-site depending on business requirements.
• British Citizens only.
• Successful candidates will be required to undergo BPSS screening, with Security Clearance and subsequent Developed Vetting (DV) clearance sponsorship available.

What We Offer

• Annual company bonus scheme.
• Competitive pension contribution package.
• Paid overtime opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Additional annual leave through Flexi Leave.
• Enhanced parental, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave policies.
• Excellent site facilities, including subsidised meals and free parking.

The Opportunity

Join a highly skilled Digital Networks team and help shape the future of network automation. Whilst the team has extensive expertise in network engineering and automation, we are seeking a software-focused engineer who can strengthen development standards, tooling, and automation capability across the function.

You will help transition network operations toward a software-defined approach by introducing robust software engineering practices including version control, testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and modular application design. Working alongside network specialists, you will develop and maintain the tools, software, and automation platforms that support both physical and virtual infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain production-grade software solutions and automation tools, primarily using Python.
• Champion software engineering best practices including code reviews, unit testing, and maintainable coding standards.
• Define and implement automated testing strategies for network automation platforms and APIs.
• Develop and extend the Network Source of Truth through custom data models, plugins, and automation workflows.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines to automate infrastructure testing and deployment.
• Develop and enhance Ansible playbooks and roles to improve network automation reliability and scalability.
• Support and mentor colleagues in software engineering methodologies and development practices.
• Drive innovation across network infrastructure management through automation and DevOps principles.

This is a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge networking and automation technologies while making a direct impact on how network infrastructure is managed and evolved within a complex, highly secure environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Advanced Python development skills with strong knowledge of object-oriented programming, design patterns, and maintainable code practices.
• Experience designing and implementing software testing strategies and frameworks.
• Strong API development and integration experience, including REST and GraphQL technologies and frameworks such as FastAPI, Django REST Framework, and Pydantic.
• Knowledge of JSON, YAML, Jinja2, and related data structures and templating technologies.
• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and Agile delivery methodologies.
• Experience with Git and GitLab version control workflows.
• Proven experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
• Hands-on experience using Ansible for infrastructure or network automation.
• Good understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, Routing, Switching, VLANs, and Subnetting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with network engineering specialists.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with network testing frameworks such as PyATS.
• Exposure to Cisco technologies, including Catalyst Center and/or ACI.
• Experience with Nautobot or similar Network Source of Truth platforms.
• Knowledge of testing and data validation frameworks such as mock or factory_boy.
• Linux administration experience, ideally within Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments.
• Experience or familiarity with containerisation and virtualisation technologies, particularly Red Hat OpenShift.

If you're looking to apply your software engineering expertise within a highly innovative and technically advanced organisation, while helping shape the future of network automation, we'd love to hear from you!