Senior Network Automation Engineer - Lead Transformation

QinetiQ; Orpington; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ in the United Kingdom is hiring a Senior Network Engineer to lead the transition from manual to automated network operations. Based at Farnborough, you will drive the automation roadmap across LAN/WAN/DC, develop scripts in Python, Ansible and Terraform, and integrate centralised management platforms including Cisco Catalyst Center.

You will mentor engineers, promote knowledge sharing, and work within a collaborative team across Engineering, IT & Cyber Specialists.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in network infrastructure automation across enterprise environments, with a non-cloud focus.
• Proven track record of leading or contributing to automation transformation initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with scripting and automation tools such as Python, Ansible, and Terraform.
• Experience working with centralised network management and orchestration tools, such as Cisco Catalyst Center.
• Solid understanding of core networking technologies, including routing, switching, and security, across enterprise-scale environments.
• Experience in building reusable automation frameworks and templates.
• CCNP or equivalent experience.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to show the required level of experience and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation from manual to automated network operations, establishing best practices and driving the automation roadmap.
• Design and implement network automation solutions across LAN, WAN, and datacentre environments.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts using Python, Ansible, and Terraform.
• Integrate and optimise centralised network management platforms, such as Cisco Catalyst Center.
• Enhance operational efficiency through automated provisioning, configuration management, and monitoring.
• Collaborate across teams while mentoring engineers and promoting knowledge sharing and cross-training.
• Work 37 hours per week based at our Farnborough site.
• Work specific times to cover shift patterns between 0730 and 1830 GMT when required.
• Participate in an on-call rota to support high service availability and rapid incident response.

Skills

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Automation frameworks

Education

CCNP or equivalent

Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Cisco Catalyst Center

Job description

QinetiQ in the United Kingdom is hiring a Senior Network Engineer to lead the transition from manual to automated network operations. Based at Farnborough, you will drive the automation roadmap across LAN/WAN/DC, develop scripts in Python, Ansible and Terraform, and integrate centralised management platforms including Cisco Catalyst Center.

You will mentor engineers, promote knowledge sharing, and work within a collaborative team across Engineering, IT & Cyber Specialists.