Network Automation Engineer - MCNC

Company Overview
MCNC is a North Carolina non-profit client-focused technology organization. Founded in 1980, MCNC owns and operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), one of America’s longest-running regional research and education networks. With over 40 years of innovation, MCNC provides protected Internet, cybersecurity services, and related technology services. Learn more about what we do and our service portfolio at www.mcnc.org.

Position Summary
Join MCNC and become a key member of the Network Management Team where you’ll be able to apply your network management and network automation skills in supporting the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). MCNC, via its wholly-owned state-of-the-art fiber and DWDM-based optical/IP/MPLS network, NCREN, supports North Carolina public K-12 schools, North Carolina public and private universities and colleges, North Carolina community colleges, healthcare, libraries, state and local government, non-profit organizations, and public safety, among others. We've created a dynamic work environment designed to provide our employees the freedom and support they need to achieve great things for the citizens of North Carolina and for their own future. The successful candidate will enjoy a competitive salary and an industry-leading comprehensive benefits package. This is a hybrid position and reports to the Director of Network Architecture and Management/Chief Network Architect, NCREN.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Participates in the support and upkeep of the network management and network automation tools used to monitor, manage and measure NCREN.
• Participates in proof-of-concept labs and the evaluation of new network management and network automation tools and technologies.
• Participates in the development of network management and network automation tools for use in monitoring, managing and measuring NCREN. 
• Participates in the adoption and customization of new network management and network automation tools to monitor, manage, measure and automate NCREN.
• Participates in the support and upkeep of MCNC’s network testing and integration lab’s network management and network automation tools.
• Participates in network capacity planning activities.
• Participates in the preparation and maintenance of network utilization and performance reports.
• Participates in the creation and maintenance of network utilization and performance dashboards.
• Represents MCNC at Research & Education focused events (local, regional and national) as required.
• Performs other duties as prescribed.

• Has a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Has 5 years of progressive experience in data networking with the most recent 3 years focused on network automation and network management.
• Thinks automation first.
• Possesses outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Possesses outstanding analytical skills.
• Has demonstrable experience applying network automation and network management skills in large scale data network environments (Internet Service Provider (ISP) and/or Large Research & Education Institutions and/or Large Enterprise).
• Has significant demonstrable experience with one or more of the following technologies: Network DevOps, Ansible, Python 3, IDEs, Git, YAML, YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and/or RESTful APIs (experience with Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) and Cisco Crosswork Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) a plus).
• Has demonstrable experience managing carrier class routers and switches via open source and commercially available network management, network automation and orchestration tools (familiarity managing DWDM-based optical platforms a plus).
• Has demonstrable experience managing Cisco IOS XE and IOS XR-based devices and/or other similar network operating systems/platforms.
• Has strong Linux system administration skills with a particular focus on network management and network automation.
• Has demonstrable experience interacting with one or more of the following technologies in a Network Management/Network Automation context: TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Carrier Ethernet (E-LINE, E-LAN), Routing, Switching, EoMPLS, VPLS, MPLS Layer 3 VPN, Segment Routing, BGP EVPN VXLAN, EVPN, SD-WAN, BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, QoS, GRE, IPSec, etc.
• Understands how to engineer solutions within the boundaries of budget and time constraints.
• Can create detailed reports, diagrams, system documentation, white papers, solution briefs, etc.
• Completes assignments on time or ahead of schedule.
• Is extremely detail oriented, but does not lose sight of the big picture.
• Is the ultimate team player, but works independently as required and is prepared to be a significant individual contributor.
• Is comfortable in a dynamic fast-paced environment where priorities change as required to meet customer demands.
• Must have a valid driver's license and will be required to drive a company vehicle on company business. Pre-employment and annual MVR checks will be required during your employment with the company for this position in order to be approved to drive a company-owned vehicle.

• Background and sex offender checks will be performed for pre-employment and annually during your employment with the company.
• This role will be required to adhere to the MCNC Substance Abuse policy, which may include drug/alcohol screening at hire and periodically or randomly during employment.
• The work location for this position will be hybrid.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

MCNC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Powered by JazzHR