Job Title: Automation L3 SME – Cisco ACI, NCS, Palo Alto
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Experience Level: Senior Automation SME’s (L3 Support / SME)
Role Overview
As an Automation L3 SME, you will lead the design and implementation of automated workflows for network and security infrastructure using Cisco ACI, Cisco NSO, and Palo Alto platforms. You’ll build scalable, policy-driven automation frameworks that support service provisioning, validation, and rollback across hybrid environments.
Key Responsibilities
Platform Automation
- Develop and maintain automation scripts for Cisco ACI, leveraging /api/node/mo/.xml endpoints and fabric policy constructs.
- Implement service models and device templates using Cisco NSO, with deep interaction via YANG models and NETCONF/RESTCONF APIs.
- Automate Palo Alto firewall configurations using XML/REST APIs, including policy creation, object management, and commit operations.
Workflow Engineering
- Build automated workflows for service provisioning, configuration validation, and rollback using orchestration tools and custom scripts.
- Ensure workflows are modular, reusable, and version-controlled for multi-tenant environments.
Data Modelling & Template Design
- Use JSON/XML to parse device configurations, generate templates, and validate schema compliance.
- Create dynamic templates for policy deployment across platforms using Jinja2, YANG, or custom DSLs.
Automation Tools & Scripting
- Automate policy deployment using:
- Ansible playbooks and roles
- Python scripts with libraries like pan-os-python, requests, and ncclient
- Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines using Git, Jenkins, or GitLab CI, enabling continuous delivery of network changes.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure all automation adheres to security standards, change control policies, and audit requirements.
- Maintain detailed documentation, version history, and rollback procedures for all automated deployments.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- 5+ years in network/security automation, with hands-on experience in:
- Cisco ACI (fabric policies, API interaction)
- Cisco NSO (service models, YANG, NETCONF)
- Palo Alto Networks (API-based automation)
- Proficiency in:
- Python, Ansible, REST/XML/JSON
- CI/CD tools (Git, Jenkins, GitLab CI)
- Network protocols (BGP, OSPF, VRF, NAT, ACLs)
Preferred Certifications
- Cisco DevNet Qualified / Specialist
- PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer)
- Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation
- ITIL Foundation (for process alignment)
What You’ll Gain
- Ownership of next-gen automation frameworks across network and security domains
- Strategic role in infrastructure-as-code transformation
- Exposure to multi-vendor orchestration, policy-as-code, and DevSecOps practices
📌 AutomationSME – Cisco ACI, NCS, Palo Alto
🏢 Tech Aalto
📍 Melbourne