Senior Network Engineer - AI & Automation

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Tennessee; Remote; USD 95,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a Senior Network Engineer focused on AI and automation to lead the shift from CLI-only management to self-healing, automated operations.

You will design scalable automation, integrate AI/ML tooling, and drive safe, auditable changes across Cisco Catalyst/Nexus environments. Remote-friendly with campus travel for onboarding and quarterly on-site needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related field of study required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Four (4) years of IT experience with infrastructure operations and engineering environments.
• Strong Python skills, plus experience with Ansible or similar orchestration tools preferred.
• Practical experience applying AI/ML concepts to network operations preferred.
• CCNP or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and build automation workflows using Ansible/AAP to standardize configuration, deployment, and remediation.
• Identify manual, repetitive network operations tasks and engineer them out through scripting and orchestration.
• Evaluate and pilot AI-driven tools for anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent alerting.
• Build integrations across monitoring platforms and network infrastructure to close the loop between detection and action.
• Own high-visibility automation projects end to end, from proof of concept to production rollout.
• Stay current on emerging network AI/ML tooling and bring forward recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet department and institution goals.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Skills

Python

Ansible

Automation

Networking

LLM / AI in NOC

Cisco routing/switching

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related

Master's degree preferred

CCNP or equivalent certification preferred

Tools

Ansible

Power Automate

Cisco Catalyst Center

ThousandEyes

StatSeeker

ServiceNow

Job description

The Enterprise Network Team is looking for a senior engineer who thinks beyond traditional CLI-driven network management. This person will lead the shift toward automated, self-healing network operations, using AI and modern tooling to reduce manual work and increase reliability across a large, complex environment.

This position may be eligible for remote work. However, St. Jude requires all remote employees to:

• Travel to our Memphis campus for the interview process and/or orientation, if selected
• Travel to Memphis to work on-site for one week per quarter, or as requested based on business needs, if hired.

By applying, you acknowledge and agree to these travel requirements as a condition of employment.

This position is remote within approved U.S. locations. Due to state-specific employment regulations, we are unable to consider applicants currently residing in California for remote work; however, candidates based in California who are willing to relocate to an approved location may be considered.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and build automation workflows using Ansible/AAP to standardize configuration, deployment, and remediation.
• Identify manual, repetitive network operations tasks and engineer them out through scripting and orchestration.
• Evaluate and pilot AI-driven tools for anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent alerting.
• Build integrations across monitoring platforms, and network infrastructure to close the loop between detection and action.
• Contribute to a broader AI fluency initiative on the team, helping less automation-focused engineers build these skills.
• Partner with architecture and security teams to ensure automation is safe, auditable, and aligned with change control policy.
• Own high-visibility automation projects end to end, from proof of concept to production rollout.
• Stay current on emerging network AI/ML tooling and bring forward recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related field of study required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum experience: Four (4) years of IT experience with experience in infrastructure operations and engineering environments.
• Experience in infrastructure design, systems analysis, and security management.
• Some experience working with commercial models around infrastructure capacity procurement.
• Experience in customer service and vendor management.
• Some experience in business stakeholder engagement and management.
• Demonstrated ownership of network automation initiatives, from identifying a manual process to designing, building, and deploying the automated solution in production preferred.
• Track record of taking automation projects beyond scripting, with real accountability for outcomes and reliability preferred.
• Strong Python skills, plus experience with Ansible or similar orchestration tools preferred.
• Practical experience applying AI/ML concepts to network operations, whether through vendor tools, custom models, or LLM-based workflows preferred.
• Deep understanding of Cisco routing/switching, and comfort working across Catalyst, Nexus, and NDFC environments preferred.
• Experience integrating network systems with ITSM platforms like ServiceNow preferred.
• Ability to translate a manual process into an automated one without cutting corners on reliability or security preferred.
• Experience with Cisco Catalyst Center, ThousandEyes, or StatSeeker preferred.
• Familiarity with Graph API, Power Automate, or similar low-code automation platforms preferred.
• Prior experience building or fine-tuning LLM-based tools for IT operations preferred.
• CCNP or equivalent certification preferred.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $94,640 - $169,520 per year for the role of Senior Network Engineer - AI & Automation.

Explore our exceptional benefits!

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

No Search Firms

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.