Lead Network Engineer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Inc.; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Inc. is seeking a Lead Network Engineer to design, implement, and automate enterprise voice and data networks across on‑premise and cloud environments. You will lead automation, CI/CD integration, and SDN initiatives while ensuring security, availability, and performance.

The role emphasizes mentoring, cross‑functional collaboration with Security and Cloud teams, and guiding modernization efforts in network programmability and infrastructure as code.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent work experience (4 years can substitute). Industry certifications like Cisco CCNA/DevNet may be considered.
• 7+ years progressive network engineering in a large-scale, complex environment.
• Extensive background in enterprise network systems and programming with hands-on automation and SDN.
• Multi-platform and hybrid infrastructure experience including Azure and cloud networking.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, test, and automate deployment of network architectures across data center, WAN, campus, and cloud.
• Ensure all network solutions meet security, availability, reliability, and performance.
• Develop and maintain automation frameworks, including provisioning scripts, templating systems, and versioned configurations.
• Integrate network management with DevOps using CI/CD pipelines.
• Guide the transition toward software-defined networking and APIs for network programmability.
• Develop and recommend network strategies aligned with IT and business goals.
• Participate in technology roadmaps and planning for digital transformation including cloud migration.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship in network automation.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to understand requirements and support critical business needs.
• Collaborate with Security, Cloud, and Application teams to integrate networking into broader projects.
• Ensure network changes adhere to security policies and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Network Automation

Python

Terraform

DevOps CI/CD

Software-Defined Networking

Cloud Networking

Networking Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent work experience

Tools

Cisco ACI

VMware NSX

Kubernetes

RESTful APIs

Job description

Position Purpose

Provides the highest level of network architecture design, implementation, and automation leadership for enterprise voice and data communications systems across on‑premise and cloud environments. Ensures the integrity, security, availability, reliability, and performance of network infrastructure by leveraging modern, software‑defined approaches, including network programmability and Infrastructure as Code practices. The Lead Network Engineer leads the planning, installation, monitoring, and automated management of complex network systems, delivering top‑tier technical support to internal clients. Evaluates, tests, and recommends new network technologies, with a strategic focus on automation and cloud networking, to continuously improve efficiency and align with enterprise modernization objectives.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, test, and automate the deployment of network architectures across data center, WAN, campus, and cloud environments.
• Ensure all network solutions meet enterprise standards for security, availability, reliability, and performance.
• Develop and maintain automation frameworks, including provisioning scripts, configuration templating systems, and version‑controlled network configurations to streamline routine network changes.
• Integrate network management with DevOps practices using CI/CD pipelines for infrastructure updates and policy deployment.
• Guide the transition toward software‑defined networking and APIs for network programmability, enabling the network to be managed as code.
• Develop and recommend network strategies aligned with broader IT and business goals.
• Participate in technology roadmaps and cross‑functional planning for digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and SDN implementations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship in network automation and best practices to peers and junior engineers.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders to understand requirements and support critical business needs.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Security, Cloud, and Application teams, to integrate networking into broader infrastructure and cloud projects.
• Ensure all network changes and architectures adhere to corporate security policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent work experience (4 years can substitute). Industry certifications such as Cisco CCNA or Cisco DevNet Associate may be considered.
• Work Experience: Minimum of seven years progressive network engineering experience in a large‑scale, complex environment.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive background in enterprise network systems and programming, including significant hands‑on experience in the following domains:
  • Network Automation and Scripting – Python, RESTful APIs, Ansible, Netmiko.
  • Infrastructure as Code – Terraform (highly desired).
  • CI/CD and GitOps workflows for network configuration management.
  • Software‑Defined Networking – Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, SD‑WAN, multi‑cloud networking across Azure and AWS.
  • Core route/switch protocols – BGP, OSPF; firewall administration – Palo Alto, Cisco ASA; load balancers; network access control – Cisco ISE; wireless networks; network performance monitoring tools.
  • Multi‑Platform and Hybrid Infrastructure – on‑premise data centers and cloud platforms (Azure); virtualization and container networking (VMware, Hyper‑V, Kubernetes); cloud VPC/VNet design.
• Other Technical Skills: Deep technical knowledge across IT disciplines at an architectural level, strong troubleshooting skills, advanced diagnostics, simulation tools, and network analytics.
• Skills and Abilities: Strong communication and business acumen; ability to translate complex network concepts into business terms; proactive technical leadership; mentoring and knowledge transfer; collaborative across cross‑functional teams; enterprise technology modernization support.

Preferred/Additional Skills

• Infrastructure as Code using Terraform.
• Modern network programmability frameworks, controller‑driven and API‑centric networking, and policy‑driven segmentation.
• Experience with performance monitoring and advanced diagnostics.
• Ability to provide mentorship and knowledge transfer to less‑experienced team members.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Job duties are performed in a normal, clean office environment with normal noise levels. Work is predominantly done while standing or sitting. The role requires comprehension, documentation, calculation, visualization, and analysis.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All internal employees may apply through Workday Careers.