Network Engineer → Network Automation Engineer

A realistic transition from Network Engineer to Network Automation Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 46%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 46%

Transition from Network Engineer to Network Automation Engineer.

Transferable skills

  • CI/CD for network
  • Networking (routing/switching)
  • Cloud networking

Skills to learn

  • Infrastructure as code (Terraform)
  • Git & version control
  • API & NETCONF/RESTCONF
  • Monitoring
  • Testing & validation

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Network Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • CI/CD for network
    • Networking (routing/switching)
    • Cloud networking

    Map transferable skills — CI/CD for network, Networking (routing/switching), Cloud networking — against what a Network Automation Engineer needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Network Automation Engineer

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Network automation (Ansible/Python)
    • Python

    Raise Network automation (Ansible/Python), Python to the level a Network Automation Engineer relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Network Automation Engineer role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Infrastructure as code (Terraform)
    • Git & version control
    • API & NETCONF/RESTCONF

    Technologies

    GitGitLab CIJenkins

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Infrastructure as code (Terraform), Git & version control, API & NETCONF/RESTCONF.

  4. 4. Master advanced Network Automation Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Testing & validation
    • Monitoring

    Technologies

    NETCONFRESTCONFNAPALM

    Handle the advanced topics: Testing & validation, Monitoring.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Network Automation Engineer toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    GitGitLab CIJenkinsNETCONFRESTCONFNAPALMBatfishAWS

    Be hands-on with Git, GitLab CI, Jenkins and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Network Automation Engineer work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Network Automation Engineer tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Network Automation Engineer

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Cisco DevNet ProfessionalAnsible Red Hat AutomationTerraform Associate

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Network Automation Engineer, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes