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Career path

Network Automation & DevNetOps

Network automation engineers use code, APIs and tools such as Python and Ansible to build and change networks reliably instead of typing the same commands on hundreds of devices. It combines network engineering with software habits like version control and testing, and it is in high demand as networks grow and change faster.

Is this path for you?

  • You already enjoy networking and get bored by repetitive tasks
  • You like writing small programs that save time
  • You care about doing things the same, correct way every time

Quick facts

Typical first job
NOC technician or junior network engineer
Core skills
Networking, Python, Ansible, APIs, Git, CI/CD
Career levels
5, from beginner to architect

Career levels at a glance

Select a level to jump to the details.

  1. 1Network foundations0–2 years
  2. 2Network engineer who automates2–4 years
  3. 3Network automation engineer4–6 years
  4. 4Senior automation engineer6–9 years
  5. 5Architect and leadership9+ years

Level by level: what to learn and do

  1. Network foundations

    0–2 years

    NOC technician · Junior network engineer · IT support

    What you do

    Learn to run a real network by hand first: configure switches and routers, read outputs and fix faults, while starting Python in your own time.

    Skills to learn

    • IP addressing, VLANs and routing
    • Cisco IOS and router commands
    • Linux command line
    • Python basics: variables, loops, files

    Certifications to consider: Cisco CCNA

    To reach the next level: Find a boring task at work, such as collecting outputs from many devices, and script it safely in read-only mode.

  2. Network engineer who automates

    2–4 years

    Network engineer · NetOps engineer

    What you do

    Run the network day to day and use scripts to back up configurations, collect information, check compliance and roll out simple, tested changes.

    Skills to learn

    • Python for networks (Netmiko, NAPALM or Scrapli)
    • Data formats: JSON, YAML and XML
    • REST APIs and tools such as Postman
    • Git and version control
    • Ansible playbooks

    Certifications to consider: Cisco CCNA Automation (formerly DevNet Associate)

    To reach the next level: Stop running scripts from your laptop and start storing them, testing them and reviewing them like real software.

  3. Network automation engineer

    4–6 years

    Network automation engineer · NetDevOps engineer

    What you do

    Build tools and pipelines that generate configurations from templates, test changes before they go live and keep a source of truth for the network.

    Skills to learn

    Certifications to consider: Cisco CCNP Automation (formerly DevNet Professional); Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) covers Ansible

    To reach the next level: Design for the whole team: make tools others can use safely, with clear documentation.

  4. Senior automation engineer

    6–9 years

    Senior network automation engineer · Network reliability engineer

    What you do

    Lead automation strategy for the network team, connect network tools to IT service and monitoring systems, and build self-service options for other teams.

    Skills to learn

    • Event-driven automation and closed-loop checks
    • Streaming telemetry and observability
    • Cloud networking and infrastructure as code (Terraform)
    • Software design and code review

    Certifications to consider: Cisco CCIE Automation (formerly DevNet Expert) for those who want expert level

    To reach the next level: Measure success in fewer outages and faster changes, and teach others to automate.

  5. Architect and leadership

    9+ years

    Network automation architect · Head of network engineering

    What you do

    Set the direction for how the network is built and run as code, choose platforms, define standards and lead the cultural change from manual work to automation.

    Skills to learn

    • Platform and tooling strategy
    • Intent-based and multi-domain networking
    • Change and risk governance for automated systems
    • Leading teams through new ways of working

    Certifications to consider: CCIE Automation or CCDE (optional); architecture and leadership training

    To reach the next level: Make automation the normal way the organisation changes its network.

Years of experience are typical ranges, not rules: some people move faster, others take longer. Certification names and versions change, so always check the exam provider's website before you book.

How to become a network automation & devnetops professional: step by step

  1. Learn networking properly first. Automation makes a bad design fail faster. Start with IP addressing and VLANs.
  2. Read why network automation matters to see the problems it solves.
  3. Pass the CCNA, then learn Python a little each day: loops, files and simple functions.
  4. Use Python with network devices in a lab to pull outputs and back up configurations.
  5. Put all your scripts in Git and learn Ansible and REST APIs.
  6. Build a small pipeline that tests a change in the lab before applying it, and write it up for your portfolio.
  7. Take CCNA Automation, then move into a NetDevOps or automation role.

Ways to specialise

After a few years, most security professionals focus on one area.

Configuration automationTemplates and playbooks that build devices the same way every time.
Network testing and validationProve a change is safe before and after it goes live.
Observability and telemetryStream data from devices to spot problems early.
Cloud network automationBuild cloud networks with infrastructure as code.
Tooling and platformsWrite the internal tools the network team relies on.
Network reliability engineeringUse software methods to keep the network running.

Start learning now

Notes library
TopicNetworking Security Network automation: why automate, the toolchain and model-driven APIs Why manual configuration doesn’t scale, the benefits of automation, the automation stack, how tools talk to devices (SSH, NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, REST), YANG, YAML and JSON, sources of truth and idempotency. 8 min read · Intermediate TopicNetworking Security Python for network engineers: libraries and a first automation script Why Python is the language of network automation, the key libraries (Netmiko, NAPALM, ncclient, requests, Nornir, TextFSM), a complete configuration backup script with a YAML inventory, safe changes and a learning path. 9 min read · Intermediate TopicNetworking Security Ansible and NetDevOps: playbooks, inventories and CI/CD for networks Why Ansible suits network teams, inventories and variables, an idempotent VLAN playbook using Cisco IOS modules, check mode, protecting secrets, and how Git, reviews and CI/CD pipelines make network changes safer. 9 min read · Advanced TopicNetworking Security Network planes and software-defined networking (SDN) The data, control and management planes inside every network device, how SDN separates and centralises control, controllers and their northbound and southbound APIs, underlay and overlay, and intent-based networking. 8 min read · Intermediate

Compare with other paths

Many professionals move between these areas during their career. Strong networking is the foundation for all three.

Computer NetworkingCloud SecurityCybersecurityIT Support & Systems AdministrationPenetration TestingIoT & OT SecurityAll career paths

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