Automates network provisioning, configuration and validation with code and CI/CD.
Entry
Senior
Coding
High
Key skills
Career overview
The Network Automation Engineer brings software practices to the network: infrastructure-as-code for device configuration, CI/CD pipelines for network changes, automated testing and validation, and source-controlled intent. They replace manual, error-prone CLI work with repeatable, auditable workflows. The role sits at the frontier of networking, DevOps and platform engineering, and opens doors toward cloud networking and network architecture.
Main responsibilities
- Automate processes across the IT estate
- Configure switches, routers, VLANs and Wi-Fi
- Troubleshoot latency, packet loss and routing issues
- Automate recurring tasks with scripts
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines
- Describe infrastructure as code and version it
- Monitor platform health, alerts and dashboards
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Common entry point
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- Cisco DevNet Professional
- Ansible Red Hat Automation
- Terraform Associate
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 49% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Hybrid connectivity, Security groups / NACL, Load balancing
View roadmapOverlap: 47% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: Security, SD-WAN, Vendor strategy
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
Soft skills
- Problem solving
- Rigour and attention to detail
- Autonomy
- Big-picture thinking
- Clear communication
- Documentation writing
- Mentoring
Related resources
- Interview PreparationMonitoring Specialist Interview Questions & Answers
- Career GuidesHow to Become a Monitoring Specialist
- Interview PreparationNOC Analyst Interview Questions & Preparation Guide
- Technical SkillsEssential Linux Skills for IT Operations
- Technical SkillsMonitoring Tools for NOC & IT Operations Careers
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Network Automation EngineerDevOps Engineer
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