Contract Python Network Automation Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Over the last 20 years, Ares' success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values - Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy - and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.
Job Description
8+ years of enterprise Network Engineering experience delivering secure, resilient network services across global campus, data center, cloud, and WAN environments. Demonstrable expertise deploying and managing network infrastructure through code using Terraform, Ansible, Python, Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and vendor APIs.
Reporting relationships
Reports to: Crew Lead, Networking
Supervise: N/A
Primary functions & responsibilities
Design, implement, and automate enterprise network infrastructure across global offices, data centers, cloud, and WAN environments.
Engineer resilient routing, switching, SD-WAN, wireless, and hybrid cloud connectivity using Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Meraki, and Microsoft Azure.
Develop reusable Terraform modules, Ansible playbooks, Python tooling, and API integrations for network and security platforms.
Build Git-based CI/CD workflows with code review, automated validation, approvals, deployment controls, and rollback capability.
Design and operate Palo Alto Networks firewalls and secure network architectures incorporating segmentation, micro-segmentation, identity, and network access controls.
Provide L3 engineering support, lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis, and improve performance, resiliency, disaster recovery, and operational efficiency.
Create and maintain reference architectures, HLDs, LLDs, engineering standards, runbooks, and technical documentation.
Collaborate with infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, application teams, and vendors to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant network services.
qualifications
Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
• CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent expert-level networking experience preferred.
• Microsoft Azure or Palo Alto Networks certification preferred.
Experience Required:
• Enterprise Networking & Wireless: Cisco Nexus, Cisco IOS-XE, Cisco ACI, Meraki Wireless, routing and switching, campus and data center networking.
• Network Security & Segmentation: Palo Alto Networks NGFW, Panorama, Prisma Access, SCM, security and NAT policy, network segmentation, micro-segmentation, and Zero Trust architecture.
• Cloud Networking: Microsoft Azure networking, Virtual WAN, ExpressRoute, hybrid connectivity, routing, Private Link, DNS, and cloud network security.
• Network Automation & Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, Python, REST APIs, JSON/YAML, reusable modules and playbooks, platform-native automation, and orchestration.
• Source Control & Delivery: GitHub or GitLab, pull requests, CI/CD pipelines, automated validation, secrets handling, deployment governance, and rollback.
• Network Engineering & Operations: Architecture, design, implementation, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, disaster recovery, high availability, and resiliency.
• Technical Leadership & Governance: HLDs, LLDs, design standards, operational procedures, stakeholder management, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration.
General Requirements:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent technical documentation and architecture design skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience in global enterprise environments, preferably financial services or another regulated industry.
• Familiarity with Agile delivery, ITIL processes, and change governance.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-25%.
• Work from the Office.
Reporting Relationships
Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.
$160,000 - $180,000
The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.
Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.
There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.