Principal Network Automation Architect

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the comprehensive architecture of Flexential’s API-driven network automation platform that supports its customer self-service portal.

• Design, develop, and sustain an in-house Python-based network-as-code platform utilizing Ansible and Terraform where suitable.

• Create backend services using Python and Flask, and also engage in frontend development with JavaScript, Angular or React, and Bootstrap.

• Establish and manage API-first architectures, service contracts, versioning, authentication, and authorization protocols.

• Design data models across document, graph, and timeseries databases to represent network state, service intent, topology, and sources of truth.

• Manage customer-facing service APIs for catalog, feasibility, ordering, provisioning status, and lifecycle operations.

• Automate lifecycle delivery for L3VPN, DCI, IP Transit, Layer 2 transport, cloud connectivity, and firewall policies.

• Architect orchestration workflows for MPLS L3VPN, EVPN, BGP, segment routing, and DCI provisioning processes.

• Maintain vendor abstraction and device-driver frameworks across Arista, Cisco, and Fortinet platforms.

• Implement state reconciliation, configuration drift detection, automated remediation, and safe rollback strategies.

• Integrate cloud connectivity with AWS Direct Connect, Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute, and Google Cloud Interconnect.

• Set engineering standards through hands-on development, code reviews, testing, and technical design assessments.

• Establish architectural standards, approve technical designs, mentor senior engineers, and act as an escalation point for complex issues.

• Define the support model and engage in on-call rotation and incident response activities.

• Develop a security posture that encompasses secrets management, RBAC, credential lifecycle, mTLS, and least-privilege access.

• Design change authorization, blast-radius control, dry-run, rollback, audit, and compliance mechanisms.

• Maintain a multi-year roadmap and ensure integration with ServiceNow, enterprise observability, AIOps, and AI-assisted network operations.

• Represent network automation during cross-functional architecture reviews and executive-level program updates.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of pertinent technical experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a principal, staff, or lead architect position with design authority.

• More than 8 years of ownership of production software platforms, Python service development, API contract design, data modeling, and release engineering.

• At least 8 years of expertise in MPLS L3VPN, BGP including MP-BGP/VPNv4, EVPN-VXLAN, OSPF/IS-IS, DCI, IP transit, and multi-vendor firewall policy management.

• A minimum of 6 years in network-as-code, intent-driven provisioning, state reconciliation, and drift remediation in multi-vendor environments.

• Over 5 years of experience in GitOps/CI/CD, pipeline authoring, automated validation, test gates, configuration-as-code delivery, and tested rollback processes.

• At least 4 years in network security engineering, including firewall and policy automation, RBAC, secrets management, change authorization, and audit evidence collection.

• A minimum of 4 years in setting architectural standards, overseeing design reviews, and mentoring senior engineers.

• At least 3 years of experience with document, graph, and timeseries data models for network state and automation metadata.

• A minimum of 3 years in Linux systems administration, network management systems, and operational tooling integration.

• At least 2 years of experience with JavaScript, utilizing Angular or React and Bootstrap.

• Proficiency in Python, Flask, Ansible, Terraform, API-first architecture, and multi-vendor network automation.

• Familiarity with Arista, Cisco, Fortinet, and Arista CloudVision Portal.

• Additional training and experience may be considered as substitutes for the job requirements at the manager's discretion.

• Must possess legal authorization to work in the United States and reside in an eligible state throughout employment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, Telehealth, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• 401(k) plan.

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• Life and AD&D insurance.

• Short-term and Long-term disability coverage.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Leave of Absence options.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Wellness Program.

• Rewards and Recognition Program.

• Discretionary annual bonus based on personal and company performance.

• Travel may be necessary for team or project events.