VXLAN Data Center Automation Engineer_Local to Dallas, TX (who can be onsite 12 days per week)

Role: VXLAN Data Center Automation Engineer

Location: Local to Dallas, TX (who can be onsite 1 2 days per week)

Duration: Initial 6-Month Contract

Location & On-Site Expectations

• Client prefers onsite presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, especially during the initial phase.
• Remote candidates may be considered if skillset is strong.
• Travel is expected less frequently (e.g., monthly rather than weekly).

Project Overview

A client is building a new data center expansion project in Dallas for an existing client. The client previously implemented a VXLAN-based data center methodology for their customer who is now expanding their footprint into the U.S., aiming to replicate that same approach in Dallas.

The hardware has already shipped, and the engagement will focus on deploying, operating, and supporting the VXLAN environment using CI/CD pipelines.

This project requires strong hands-on data center expertise, automation capability, and the ability to operate within the client's systems and evolving deployment frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Replicate and deploy a previously implemented VXLAN EVPN-based data center methodology in the Dallas location.
• Work hands-on with Nexus switches (standard VXLAN EVPN, not ACI).
• Support configuration and deployment of data center routing environments.
• Integrate configurations into the client's CI/CD pipelines.
• Adapt to the client's specific CI/CD framework, which differs from client's internal model.
• Onboard into the client's systems and work within their operational processes.
• Provide consultative input to the client, offering alternative solutions and best practices when appropriate.
• Collaborate onsite with the client team during the initial deployment phase.
• Work alongside experienced technical leads and maintain continuity with prior architects (core architecture team based in the UK).

Required Experience & Skills:

• 8 10 years of hands-on experience in data center networking.
• Automation experience supporting CI/CD-based deployment models.
• Ability to adapt to co-developed environments and evolving code bases.
• Strong consultative mindset - able to suggest best practices rather than simply execute instructions.
• Broad exposure across different deployment methodologies.
• Preference for candidates with diverse data center backgrounds.
• Strong Cisco experience required; Arista experience acceptable if recent Nexus and VXLAN exposure exists.
• Candidates with Huawei experience should not be considered due to conflict-of-interest onboarding restrictions.
• Must demonstrate recent hands-on experience with Nexus and VXLAN.
• Automation Development: Build and maintain repeatable, testable automation workflows for Cisco Nexus (NX-OS) and Catalyst environments using Python, Ansible, and Git-based CI/CD.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Develop declarative code-driven reference architectures to improve consistency.
• API Integration & Tooling: Use REST APIs, NETCONF/YANG, and Cisco NSO etc. to interact with network controllers.
• Validation & Testing: Implement automated validation, linting, and policy guardrails to prevent configuration errors.