Freelance Python Network Programming Jobs in California

Why choose us?
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!
At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who's not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that's constantly evolving.
We are looking for a Senior Staff Network Engineer to design, build, and operate our enterprise cloud network platform.
This role focuses on Azure-first, multi-cloud (GCP/OCI) and hybrid connectivity across on-prem and cloud.
You will lead complex network initiatives, improve resiliency and drive automation.
You will also act as a technical leader and escalation point for critical production issues.
This role directly impacts application availability, customer experience and business continuity.
Main responsibilities:

• Cloud & Hybrid Network Architecture
  • Design scalable architectures across Azure hub-and-spoke, transit and edge VNets
  • Build hybrid connectivity using ExpressRoute, VPN, and Interconnect
  • Define standards for routing, segmentation, and traffic flow design
  • Lead design reviews to ensure resiliency, security and simplicity
• Engineering & Delivery
  • Own full lifecycle: design → build → test → deploy → operate
  • Lead major initiatives like:
    • Cloud migrations
    • Network segmentation
    • Network Resiliency improvements
  • Validate readiness before production changes
• Network Automation & Infrastructure as Code
  • Build automation using Terraform, Python and CI/CD pipelines
  • Standardize deployments using IaC (Infrastructure as Code)
  • Create reusable modules for:
    • VNets
    • Routing
    • Firewall policies
  • Enable self-service provisioning for other teams
• Network Security & Zero Trust
  • Design Zero Trust architectures and segmentation strategies
  • Configure and operate:
    • Palo Alto / Fortinet firewalls
    • Private Endpoints / Private Link
    • VPN and secure access patterns
  • Work closely with security teams on:
  • Threat reduction
  • Policy enforcement
• Performance, Reliability & Operations
  • Ensure high availability and performance across production networks
  • Lead troubleshooting for complex issues:
    • Packet drops
    • Routing inconsistencies
    • Firewalls
    • Load Balancers
  • Perform root cause analysis and drive long-term fixes
  • Implement observability:
    • Flow logs
    • Metrics
    • Packet capture insights
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Mentor engineers and raise overall team capability
  • Act as L3/L4 escalation lead for critical incidents
  • Work closely with:
    • Cloud teams
    • Edge Teams
    • Security teams
    • Application teams
    • Vendors (Cisco, Microsoft, providers)

We are looking for candidates who possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 8-12+ years in network engineering
• 5+ years in cloud networking (Azure preferred)
• Strong expertise in:
  • Routing: BGP, OSPF
  • Networking: TCP/IP, DNS
  • Modern constructs: VXLAN, EVPN
• Experience with hybrid connectivity:
  • ExpressRoute
  • VPN
  • Interconnect
• Hands-on network security experience:
  • NGFWs
  • Segmentation
  • Experience with large enterprise environments

Preferred Skills:

• IaC: Terraform, Bicep
• Scripting: Python, PowerShell, Go
• Cloud-native networking:
  • Private Link
  • AKS / GKE networking
• Observability:
  • Flow logs
  • Telemetry tools
• SASE / SSE (Zscaler, Prisma Access)
• Multi-cloud traffic engineering
• GitOps / automation frameworks
• Cloud network is stable, secure and scalable
• Fewer incidents due to proactive design and automation
• Faster deployments using standardized architecture
• Clear visibility into network health
• Strong partnership across engineering and security teams
• Azure Cloud Networking (Hub-Spoke, Transit)
• Hybrid Connectivity & Traffic Engineering
• Network Automation (Terraform + Python)
• Network Security (Zero Trust, Firewalls)
• Troubleshooting at Scale (real production issues)

Leadership Expectations:

• Take ownership during incidents...lead with clarity and calm
• Communicate clearly to leadership (simple and direct)
• Learn from failures and improve systems
• Work closely with vendors to solve complex problems

We also provide a variety of benefits including:

• Competitive wages paid weekly
• Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay). For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

Our Values - Click below to view video: ACI Values
A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.
#LI-MF1
About Us
Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. Committed to innovation and fostering a culture of belonging, our team is united with a unique purpose: to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. We want talented individuals to be part of this journey!
Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is a leading food and drug retailer in the U.S. We operate over 2,200 stores, 1,732 pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution facilities, and 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, United Express, Randalls, Albertson's Market, Pavilions, Star Markets, Market Street, Carrs, Haggen, Lucky, Amigos, Andronico's Community Markets, King's, Balducci's, and Albertson's Market Street.
Our vision is to be a retail leader admired for national strength with deep local roots, offering an easy, fun, friendly, and inspiring experience, no matter how customers choose to shop with us. We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can fully contribute to their and our company's success.
Bring your flavor
Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. All employees must comply with Company, Division, and Store policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties, and skills of personnel may vary within store and/or from store to store and the official job description will be provided during the application process.
Albertsons is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Consistent with applicable state and local law, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
We endeavor to make this site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at 1-888-255-2269(option #4).
About the Team
Pay Transparency:
Starting rates will be no less than the local minimum wage and may vary based on criteria such as location, experience, and qualifications. Candidates with unique qualifications may be considered for compensation above this range. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, sick pay, PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off, paid holidays, bereavement pay, and retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility). [If applicable:] Associates in this position may be eligible for a quarterly bonus.