Distinguished Engineer - Golden Config & Automation Architect
Listed on 2026-02-20
-
IT/Tech
Systems Engineer, Cloud Computing
When you join Verizon
You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world.
Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.
Verizon Global Infrastructure is seeking an experienced Lab and Standards Automation Architect to lead the design, development, and testing of our enterprise-wide network automation and configuration management framework. This role will play a crucial part in driving network transformation by integrating automation design, development support, and standard modernization into a unified, cloud-native framework.
You will be responsible for the overall Configuration Management architecture and strategy, with a primary focus on establishing and maintaining the Golden Config across the global estate. You will be working with cutting-edge technology, driving vendor roadmaps, and redefining the future of network reliability through AI-driven automation.
What you'll be doing...Strategic Vision & Roadmap
Defining the strategic vision and translate complex business requirements into a comprehensive network architecture roadmap.
Ensuring the roadmap supports seamless automation, cloud integration, and emerging technologies.
Leading the design and implementation of Configuration Management strategies, encompassing both automation and enterprise-wide compliance auditing.
Automation-Friendly Design
Creating architectural patterns and designs that are inherently automation-friendly, prioritizing the use of APIs and software-defined networking.
Defining technical standards and roadmaps for automation deployment to ensure scalability across lab and production environments.
Building Low Level Design (LLD) diagrams to communicate automation workflows and design goals to implementation teams.
Development & Lab Support
Supporting development teams by providing access to a secure Lab environment featuring both virtual (e.g., CML) and physical devices.
Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to guide engineering teams on modern software development practices within network operations.
Leading proof-of-concepts (PoCs) and pilot projects to validate new AI frameworks and automation capabilities.
Standards Modernization
Modernizing the standards process and configuration templates to ensure they are easily consumed by both human developers and AI tools.
Collaborating with security and networking teams to integrate automated security policies and modernize technical standards.
Driving the adoption of "Network as Code" and automated testing to accelerate feature development.
Partnership & Evaluation
Evaluating and recommending automation vendors and tools (e.g., HPNA, Cisco NSO) to ensure they meet enterprise requirements.
Partnering with IT leadership to leverage AI and Copilot frameworks to enhance configuration management.
Building strong vendor relationships to influence roadmaps for AI-driven automation tools.
Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.
Eight or more years of experience in enterprise network architecture, security, and automation
Experience in Fortune 100 environments with complex, multi-vendor requirements.
Prior leadership in digital transformation initiatives focused on AI integration.
Extensive technology development and testing experience in high-scale lab settings.
Strong expertise in Configuration Management architecture, including Golden Config and compliance auditing.
Hands-on experience with automation tools such as HPNA, Cisco NSO, Ansible, or Terraform.
Dee…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).