About Company
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is a leading telecommunications company in Zimbabwe, offering a comprehensive suite of services including mobile voice, data, internet, and payment solutions. As a pioneer in digital transformation, Econet is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to connect communities, empower businesses, and drive economic growth across the nation. We believe in innovation, customer-centricity, and building a future where everyone is connected. Our dynamic environment fosters continuous learning and growth, providing unparalleled opportunities for talented professionals to make a significant impact.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Network Automation Engineer to join our innovative team in Hwange. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in designing, developing, and implementing advanced automation solutions for our vast and complex network infrastructure. As a Senior Network Automation Engineer, you will drive the strategic shift towards infrastructure-as-code, enhancing network reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency through automation, orchestration, and programmatic control. You will be responsible for streamlining network provisioning, configuration management, monitoring, and troubleshooting processes across various network domains, including routing, switching, security, and wireless. This position requires a deep understanding of network technologies, strong scripting and programming skills, and a passion for automating repetitive tasks and driving continuous improvement. You will work closely with network architects, operations teams, and development teams to translate business requirements into robust, automated network solutions. Your expertise will directly contribute to improving service delivery, reducing manual errors, and accelerating the deployment of new network services. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to lead initiatives that redefine how we manage and operate our next-generation networks, ensuring they are agile, resilient, and ready for future challenges. We encourage applicants who are self-driven, innovative problem-solvers, and have a strong commitment to excellence in their work to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement network automation and orchestration solutions using scripting languages (Python, Bash) and automation platforms (Ansible, Puppet, Chef).
- Architect and maintain infrastructure-as-code (IaC) principles for network configurations and deployments.
- Develop tools and scripts for automated network provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
- Integrate network automation solutions with existing IT service management (ITSM) and DevOps toolchains.
- Lead the evaluation and selection of new network automation technologies and tools.
- Collaborate with network architects and engineering teams to define automation strategies and best practices.
- Ensure the security, reliability, and performance of automated network systems.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers on automation techniques and tools.
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for all automated processes and solutions.
- Participate in on-call rotation and provide advanced support for automated network incidents.
Required Skills
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in network engineering with a strong focus on automation.
- Proficiency in Python programming for network automation.
- Extensive experience with automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
- Solid understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, MPLS) and technologies (LAN, WAN, Data Center).
- Experience with network device APIs (REST, NETCONF, gRPC) and data models (YANG, OpenConfig).
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong knowledge of Linux operating systems and shell scripting.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Relevant certifications such as Cisco DevNet Professional/Expert, JNCIE-DevOps, or similar.
- Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and virtualization technologies.
- Knowledge of SDN controllers (e.g., OpenDaylight, NSX-T) and SD-WAN solutions.
- Experience with network observability tools and platforms (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack).
- Master's degree in a relevant field.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and training.
- Dynamic and collaborative work environment.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Pension scheme contributions.
- Employee assistance program.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply by clicking on the link below. Please ensure your resume highlights your experience with network automation tools and scripting languages. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.