Lead Automation and Platform Engineer (Python, Ansible, Terraform)

• Lead the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines for network infrastructure changes
• Apply Infrastructure as Code principles to networking (configuration, policy, and provisioning)
• Build automation frameworks and internal tooling using Python and/or Go
• Introduce testing, validation, and rollback mechanisms for network changes
• Partner with network engineers to translate requirements into automated workflows
• Establish Git-based workflows, code reviews, and deployment standards
• Integrate network automation with cloud, platform, and application pipelines
• Improve observability, reliability, and change safety for network services
• Advocate for DevOps best practices within traditionally network-centric teams
• Mentor engineers and influence technical direction across team

• Automating infrastructure, with a focus on network and network security using technologies such as Ansible, Terraform, Python or similar
• Modelling infrastructure to generate device templates and schemas
• Real-world experience of creating and operating/managing CI/CD pipelines with tightly coupled SCM workflows.
• Developing and documenting automation workflows, standards, and best practices.
• Expert-level experience with source code management (SCM) systems such as GitLab or GitHub, including understanding Git commands, branching, merging, rebasing and strategic usage of the tooling. Including troubleshooting complex merge, dependency, and release issues across teams

London - £90k - 110k per annum, Benefits: Hybrid Working Full Time Posted by: Xcede Posted: Thursday, 5 February 2026 Lead Automation and Platform Engineer is required by a leading consultancy in the network and infrastructure space. The role comprises defining and leading the Automation and Platform function, acting as an SME but also a technical leader with a remit to grow the capability.