Network DevOps Engineer

Salary: £30,000 - 52,000 per year

Requirements:

• Advanced proficiency in Python, with a strong grasp of software engineering concepts such as OOP, design patterns and writing testable, maintainable code.
• Solid experience with Python testing methodologies, with the ability to design and implement a testing strategy from the ground up for network automation applications and APIs.
• Strong experience designing, consuming, and integrating REST and GraphQL APIs using frameworks such as Django REST Framework, FastAPI and Pydantic.
• Proficiency working with standard data structures, serialisation, and templating languages (e.g., JSON, YAML, Jinja2).
• In-depth understanding of DevOps principles and Agile software development methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban).
• Experience using version control systems, specifically Git and GitLab.
• Practical experience in designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines within GitLab to streamline automation workflows.
• Hands-on experience using Ansible to automate and manage network configurations.
• Familiarity with core networking principles (TCP/UDP, IP, DNS, Routing, Switching, Subnetting, VLANs, etc).
• Familiarity with network-specific testing frameworks such as PyATS.
• Experience with Cisco technologies, specifically Catalyst Center and/or ACI.
• Experience using Nautobot (or similar Django-based applications) as a Network Source of Truth application.
• Experience with data mocking and/or factory libraries (e.g., mock, factory_boy) to validate complex data schemas and API contracts.
• Proficient in using a Linux OS distribution, preferably RHEL.
• Practical experience or an understanding of virtualisation and containerisation technologies, specifically Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.

Responsibilities:

• Designing, developing, and maintaining production-grade software and custom tools, primarily using Python, to manage network infrastructure at scale.
• Championing software engineering best practices within the team, including code reviews, unit testing and writing clean, maintainable code.
• Establishing our automated software testing strategy, including evaluating and selecting the best tools and frameworks.
• Managing and extending our network Source of Truth by developing custom data models, plugins, and state-driven automation jobs.
• Building and managing CI/CD pipelines to automate the testing and deployment of network changes.
• Collaborating on the development of Ansible playbooks and roles for network configuration, applying software development principles to improve their reliability and maintainability.
• Supporting and upskilling existing team members to help develop their software engineering capabilities.

Technologies:

• API
• Ansible
• CI/CD
• Cisco
• DevOps
• Django
• FastAPI
• Git
• GitLab
• GraphQL
• JSON
• Kanban
• Linux
• Network
• OOP
• OpenShift
• Python
• REST
• RHEL
• Support
• Security

More:

We are MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We are looking for a Network DevOps Engineer to join our multi-national Digital Excellence function and help modernise our network management through automation and software-driven practices. This is a dynamic hybrid role with 2-3 days per week on-site depending on business need, based in Stevenage, Bristol, or Bolton. We offer a company bonus of up to 2,500, pension contributions of up to 14%, paid overtime, up to 15 additional flexi leave days, flexible working arrangements, enhanced parental leave, and fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals and free car parking. We also have employee-led networks covering Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more.

last updated 36 week of 2026