Security Automation Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job#: 3035249
Job Description:
Job Title: Automation Engineer - Network Security
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Automation Engineer to join a Network Security team focused on modernizing and automating critical security operations. This role will drive automation across security platforms, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the reliability of network security services in a complex enterprise environment.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience in Ansible, Python, Terraform, and Git, along with a deep understanding of network security platforms and infrastructure automation.
Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automation solutions for network security operations
• Automate health checks and monitoring for a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC), ensuring proactive identification of issues across network devices
• Build automation for certificate lifecycle management, including validation, renewal, and compliance verification
• Develop infrastructure automation using Terraform, including:
  • Integration with ServiceNow
  • Automation within Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) environments
• Create and maintain Ansible playbooks and integrations to streamline security workflows
• Develop custom automation scripts using Python for operational efficiency and platform integrations
• Manage and maintain code repositories using Git, following best practices for version control and CI/CD integration
• Build and automate Splunk dashboards and reporting to support operational visibility and security insights
• Automate platform tasks such as upgrades, provisioning, and configuration management across security tools

Key Milestones & Deliverables

• Develop a roadmap for implementing self-service dashboards, enabling operational teams to independently access real-time insights
• Standardize and optimize Splunk dashboards to ensure consistency, usability, and actionable reporting across the environment
• Create and maintain runbooks for the NOC, documenting automated processes, incident response procedures, and operational workflows
• Establish repeatable automation frameworks to support scalable and consistent security operations

Required Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Ansible (Ansible Tower, playbooks, YAML scripting)
  • Python scripting and automation
  • Terraform for infrastructure as code
  • Git for version control and collaboration
• Experience automating enterprise security or network environments
• Proven ability to build automation for monitoring, health checks, and operational workflows
• Experience working with Splunk for dashboarding and reporting
• Strong understanding of network security concepts and infrastructure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with microsegmentation solutions
• Familiarity with certificate management platforms and automation
• Experience integrating automation with ITSM platforms (ServiceNow)
• Exposure to AI-driven platforms and automation (e.g., automated upgrades in intelligent platforms)

Technical Environment
Firewalls & Network Security

• Palo Alto (Next-Gen, Panorama, Strata)
• Juniper Firewalls (Layer 7 capabilities)
• Cisco Firepower (Network Intrusion Prevention)

Network & Infrastructure

• Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure)
• Cisco Secure Workload
• Broadcom platforms

Security & Access

• Zscaler (via Avanti mediation)
• Proxy Gateway technologies

Emerging Platforms

• AI-driven platforms (e.g., Mythos for automated upgrades)

Key Skills

• Infrastructure automation and orchestration
• Network security engineering fundamentals
• Scripting and development mindset
• Cross-platform integration and API utilization
• Problem-solving in high-availability environments

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at
Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.
Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at or . Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.
UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.