Technical Network Automation Architect (IT)

Technical Lead/Architect (Network Automation) Daily Rate - £600-£700 Duration - March 27 IR35 - Inside Location - Bristol, Birmingham, London, Some travel to Swindon 3 days onsite 2 from home. What we would like to see from you Strong hands?on experience in Cisco data centre networking (NX?OS, VXLAN EVPN) Proven ability to build and support automation in production environments Comfortable working across networking and software tooling Experience working in structured delivery environments with change control and governance Strong problem?solving and troubleshooting skills across both network and automation layers Ability to work collaboratively with TDA, delivery, testing and operations teams Essential skills Cisco NX?OS, including VXLAN BGP?EVPN, vPC, SNMPv3, TACACS+ Cisco NDFC including fabric templates, Recalculate and Deploy, out?of?sync detection and image management. EVPN?VXLAN and multi?site EVPN architecture, including live production migration design and rollback within constrained change windows. Python for production?quality automation and REST API integration (e.g. NDFC, ServiceNow, Infoblox, Red Hat AAP, Sentinel, Vault), including use of Python data structures to model intent and state. YAML data modelling, including Ansible role and playbook design. JSON data handling and schema validation, including understanding of JSON as an interchange format alongside Python dictionaries and YAML, and basic schema?based validation concepts to support automation testing and assurance workflows (e.g. pyATS outputs, API responses). GitHub/Gitlab, including self?hosted runner configuration, OIDC token handling, environment protection rules and workflow dispatch. pyATS and Genie, including testbed construction, NX?OS parser usage, assertion patterns and automated rollback triggers on validation failure. GitOps principles, with Git treated as the control plane, including idempotency, branch protection, signed commits and four?eyes enforcement via pipeline gates. Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform including execution environment design (container?based), job template configuration and dynamic inventory integration (e.g. NetBox). Experience producing HLD/LLD documentation aligned to FCA / PRA regulated delivery standards, with decisions traceable to requirements and explicit risk acceptance. NetBox 4.x data modelling, custom fields and automation integration. Please share your latest CV LA International is an award-winning partner of choice for many of the world's most influential companies and government organisations. Holding Enhanced Government Security Accreditation, we are recognised as the European market leader in the delivery of Security Cleared talent to organisations that demand the very highest levels of security, compliance and assurance. A multiple award-winning organisation, having secured the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade over consecutive years. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity, and we encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement to still apply. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible experience. Please Note: If a high volume of applications is received, only candidates shortlisted will be contacted.