Skill Profile

Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM

Network automation: Netmiko, NAPALM, Ansible for networking, YANG/NETCONF

Networking & Telecom Network Infrastructure

Roles

where this skill appears

Levels

structured growth path

Mandatory requirements

the other 2 optional

Networking & Telecom

Network Infrastructure

3/17/2026

Choose your current level and compare expectations. The items below show what to cover to advance to the next level.

What is Expected at Each Level

The table shows how skill depth grows from Junior to Principal. Click a row to see details.

Role	Required	Description
Network Engineer	Required	Understands why network automation is needed and knows the main tools (Ansible, NAPALM, Netmiko). Can write a simple Ansible playbook for a network device.
Telecom Developer		Understands the fundamentals of Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM. Applies basic practices in daily work. Follows recommendations from the team and documentation.

Role	Required	Description
Network Engineer	Required	Automates network tasks with Ansible network modules. Uses NAPALM for multi-vendor management. Writes Python scripts for network data collection.
Telecom Developer		Independently applies Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM in practice. Understands trade-offs of different approaches. Solves typical tasks independently.

Role	Required	Description
Network Engineer	Required	Designs complete network automation workflow: infrastructure as code for networking, automated testing, CI/CD for network changes. Uses Nornir for scalable automation.
Telecom Developer	Required	Has deep expertise in Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM. Designs solutions for production systems. Optimizes and scales. Mentors the team.

Role	Required	Description
Network Engineer	Required	Defines Network as Code strategy for the organization. Manages the transition from manual to automated network operations. Introduces GitOps for network configuration.
Telecom Developer	Required	Defines Network Automation strategy at the team/product level. Establishes standards and best practices. Conducts reviews.

Role	Required	Description
Network Engineer	Required	Shapes the network automation platform for the organization. Researches intent-based networking and AI/ML for network operations. Influences NetDevOps culture.
Telecom Developer	Required	Defines Network Automation strategy at the organizational level. Establishes enterprise approaches. Mentors leads and architects.

Junior 2 requirements

Network Engineer
Required

Understands why network automation is needed and knows the main tools (Ansible, NAPALM, Netmiko). Can write a simple Ansible playbook for a network device.
Telecom Developer

Understands the fundamentals of Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM. Applies basic practices in daily work. Follows recommendations from the team and documentation.

Middle 2 requirements

Network Engineer
Required

Automates network tasks with Ansible network modules. Uses NAPALM for multi-vendor management. Writes Python scripts for network data collection.
Telecom Developer

Independently applies Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM in practice. Understands trade-offs of different approaches. Solves typical tasks independently.

Senior 2 requirements

Network Engineer
Required

Designs complete network automation workflow: infrastructure as code for networking, automated testing, CI/CD for network changes. Uses Nornir for scalable automation.
Telecom Developer
Required

Has deep expertise in Network Automation: Netmiko, NAPALM. Designs solutions for production systems. Optimizes and scales. Mentors the team.

Lead / Staff 2 requirements

Network Engineer
Required

Defines Network as Code strategy for the organization. Manages the transition from manual to automated network operations. Introduces GitOps for network configuration.
Telecom Developer
Required

Defines Network Automation strategy at the team/product level. Establishes standards and best practices. Conducts reviews.

Principal 2 requirements

Network Engineer
Required

Shapes the network automation platform for the organization. Researches intent-based networking and AI/ML for network operations. Influences NetDevOps culture.
Telecom Developer
Required

Defines Network Automation strategy at the organizational level. Establishes enterprise approaches. Mentors leads and architects.

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