Network Automation Engineer with Security Clearance

Rubicon LLC; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rubicon LLC is seeking a Network Automation Engineer to support multiple DC/VM locations across the US with DoD-grade standards. The role emphasizes end-to-end automation, orchestration, and test automation using tools like NSO, Itential, and Paragon, across Cisco/NX-OS and Juniper environments.

You will interact with REST APIs, JSON/YAML/XML data, and CI/CD pipelines; strong scripting (Python) and NetDevOps practices are essential. A TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute; an additional 4 years of experience can substitute for a degree.
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience in addition to education level.
• Must possess current DoD 8570 IAT II and professional level technical certification (e.g.- AWS, AZURE, Cisco, Juniper or equivalent)
• Current active TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph

Responsibilities

• Design and implement end-to-end network automation and orchestration workflows.
• Interact with network devices via REST APIs using JSON, YAML and XML.
• Develop automated tests to validate changes before deployment (e.g., PyATS).
• Provide technical direction for systems specifications, interfaces and architectures.
• Identify and resolve complex hardware/software interface issues; be SME on emerging technologies.

Skills

TCP/IP

BGP routing

OSPF routing

VLANs

Firewalls

Cisco IOS/NX-OS

Juniper Junos

VxLAN

Python

REST APIs

JSON/YAML/XML

Git

CI/CD

PyATS

NetDevOps

Orchestration NSO/Itential

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Jenkins

GitLab

Cisco NSO

Itential

Paragon

Crossworks

PyATS

Job description

Title: Network Automation Engineer

Location: Multiple work locations available in DC, MD, VA and CO

Clearance: TS/SCI with the ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph

Job Details: Comprehensive understanding of core networking protocols and concepts, including TCP/IP, routing (BGP, OSPF), switching (VLANs), and firewalls.

Extensive hands-on experience with hardware and operating systems from major vendors, particularly Cisco (IOS, NX-OS) and Juniper (Junos).

Familiarity with modern data center architectures, including spine-and-leaf designs (CLOS), and related technologies like VxLAN.

Expert-level proficiency in at least one object-oriented programming (OOP) language, such as Python, for scripting, tool development, and API integration.

Experience implementing and managing end-to-end network workflows using orchestration platforms like Cisco NSO or Itential, and a deep understanding of the differences between automation and orchestration.

Direct experience with the network automation suite for service orchestration such as Paragon and Crossworks, closed-loop automation, active assurance, and network optimization in large-scale WAN environments.

Extensive experience working with REST APIs to interact with network devices and controllers. Knowledge of data formats such as JSON, YAML, and XML.

Expertise with Git for managing network configurations and automation code, including branching and merging strategies.

Experience integrating network automation into continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines using tools like Jenkins or GitLab.

The ability to develop automated tests to validate network changes before deployment and prevent configuration errors. This includes using tools like Cisco PyATS.

Solid understanding of NetDevOps practices, applying software development principles to network engineering.

Identify and direct resolution of complex hardware/software interface issues; SME on emerging technologies; direct the development of systems specifications and technical documentation

Provide technical direction for the development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of all components of complex hardware/software systems to include requirements elicitation, analysis and functional allocation, conducting systems requirements reviews, developing concepts of operation and interface standards, developing system architectures, and performing technical/non-technical assessment and management as well as end-to-end flow analysis

Conduct and/or approve end-to-end system trade analyses to optimize system operations over its life-cycle through the proper balance of non-functional system performance areas

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute in an area applicable to the position; an additional 4 years of experience be substituted in lieu of a degree
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience in addition to education level
• Must possess current DoD 8570 IAT II and professional level technical certification (i.e.- AWS, AZURE, Cisco, Juniper or equivalent)
• Experience working in a DoD or IC environment desired
• Current active TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph