Senior Network Automations Engineer

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Senior Network Automation Engineer to determine and support Kubernetes platform service requirements for Platform as a Service architecture. This position will be located in Fort Bragg, NC, and is an on-site position.

The Senior Network Automation Engineer serves as a hybrid Network & Systems Engineer and Tactical Communications SME, responsible for leading the collaboration of cross-functional stakeholders in designing, building, automating, testing, and sustaining mission-critical network infrastructure in support of deployed and enterprise operations. This role integrates hands-on engineering, automation development, and operational support to deliver secure, scalable, and rapidly deployable network solutions

Key Responsibilities

• Network & Systems Engineer / Tactical Communications SME / Testing & Development
• Maintains subject matter expert-level awareness of current and emerging technologies through continuous research of technical manuals, vendor documentation, security advisories, and open-source resources.
• Leads evaluations and recommends hardware and software versions by validating:
• Minimum installation requirements
• Known defects and bugs
• Security bulletins and patches
• Compatibility with legacy systems
• Power constraints (including PoE considerations)
• Environmental and thermal limitations
• End‑user interoperability (notably SFP module compatibility)
• Collaborates with the JEDI team to enable bare‑metal provisioning of RHEL servers, leveraging Kickstart-based automation for PXE‑style rapid deployments
• Oversees the building of secure, mission‑ready network nodes from bare metal, including firmware/software upgrades, secure configuration baselines, tunnel establishment, and performance optimization.
• Conducts in-depth network connectivity testing, end‑user behavior analysis, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal throughput and reliability.
• Coordinates with multiple J6 functional areas when deploying new sites.
• Works directly with customers to ensure installations are plug‑and‑play, enabling rapid deployment within constrained logistical timelines.
• Developed the initial MFS Medium v2 configuration and influenced the MFS Heavy baseline.
• Rapidly identifies and resolves network configuration errors; provides validated solutions to the network automation team for integration and code deployment.
• Possesses deep operational knowledge of network architectures, protocols, and failure modes, allowing for expedited fault isolation and resolution.

Encryption Subject Matter Expert (SME)

• Holds strong working knowledge of encryptor configuration, firmware management, operational requirements, version enforcement, best practices, and troubleshooting.
• Diagnoses encryption issues based on customer‑reported symptoms and operational context.
• Identified and resolved a critical encryption key failure affecting a forward‑deployed Tier tactical node after multiple unsuccessful remediation attempts.
• Proficient with Gem One and Chimera management platforms.

Additional Operational Support

• Performs off‑site communications checks and equipment upgrades, including installation and airflow optimization to prevent overheating and equipment degradation
• Delivers expedited remote support to traveling customers, providing Cisco CLI commands to rapidly restore communications for senior leadership
• Detects and communicates probable hardware failures at distant ends during outage scenarios
• Assists with baselining and testing MFS kits under tight timelines or suspected hardware/software issues
• Collaborates with customers, ECS, and Tier units to troubleshoot connectivity issues and deliver targeted technical training
• Daily operational use of:
• Nautobot (IPAM and device management)
• AWX (administration and automation)
• Active Directory
• Forward Networks (topology and fault analysis)
• Splunk (detailed network/server logging)
• Service Now (ticketing and technical order tracking)
• Provides on‑site support for emergent taskings, including after‑hours operations

High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills and Experience

• Clearance Required:
  
  TS/SCI
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification
• Cisc…