DevOps Engineer (Infrastructure Automation)

The Ansible Playbook Developer is responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining automation scripts using Ansible to manage configurations and streamline processes in IT infrastructure environments. The developer collaborates with cross-functional teams, including cloud engineers, system administrators, and DevOps professionals, to enhance automation capabilities and support business goals. This role requires deep knowledge of scripting, system administration, and configuration management, along with a strong understanding of modern IT automation practices.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Playbook Development & Maintenance:

- Design, develop, and maintain Ansible playbooks to automate repetitive tasks and support infrastructure as code (IaC) principles.

- Optimize existing playbooks for performance, reusability, and ease of maintenance.

- Ensure proper version control and code quality standards are followed for Ansible scripts.

2. Infrastructure Automation:

- Collaborate with cloud and DevOps teams to automate the provisioning, configuration, and deployment of infrastructure components such as servers, networks, and storage.

- Manage and automate the configuration of multi-cloud and on-premises environments using Ansible.

3. System Administration & Configuration Management:

- Configure and manage Linux and Windows systems using Ansible.

- Automate system patching, software deployments, and service configurations.

- Develop and implement role-based access control (RBAC) and other security policies through automation scripts.

4. Testing & Debugging:

- Test and validate playbooks for successful deployment in development, staging, and production environments.

- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to playbook execution, system configurations, and dependencies.

5. Documentation & Training:

- Document developed playbooks, automation frameworks, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

- Provide training and guidance to internal teams on best practices in Ansible development and usage.

6. Collaboration & Communication:

- Work closely with infrastructure and cloud engineers, DevOps teams, and other stakeholders to understand automation requirements.

- Participate in sprint planning, code reviews, and project discussions to align automation solutions with business needs.

7. Compliance & Security:

- Implement security best practices and compliance requirements within playbooks to ensure robust configurations and safe deployments.

- Address security vulnerabilities and maintain compliance with industry standards.

Key Requirements:

1. Technical Skills:

- Proficiency in Ansible: Deep understanding of Ansible, including playbook development, roles, variables, templates, and modules.

- Programming/Scripting Languages: Strong experience in Python, YAML, and Bash scripting.

- System Administration: In-depth knowledge of Linux (CentOS, Ubuntu, RHEL) and Windows server environments.

- Configuration Management: Hands-on experience with configuration management and infrastructure as code (IaC) practices.

- Version Control: Experience with Git or other version control systems for managing and maintaining Ansible playbooks.

- Cloud Platform Knowledge: Familiarity with cloud services like AWS, Azure, or GCP for automating cloud infrastructure.

- CI/CD Pipelines: Experience integrating Ansible with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps.

2. Automation & Tooling:

- Strong understanding of automation tools, including Ansible Tower/AWX.

- Ability to integrate Ansible with other automation and orchestration tools like Terraform or Chef.

3. Security & Compliance:

- Knowledge of security best practices, particularly in cloud and hybrid IT environments.

- Experience implementing compliance frameworks, such as CIS Benchmarks or DoD STIGs, using automation.

4. Problem-Solving & Debugging:

- Expertise in troubleshooting playbook errors, configuration issues, and performance bottlenecks.

- Proficiency in using debugging tools and techniques for error resolution.

5. Soft Skills:

- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within cross-functional teams.

- Ability to document playbooks, design decisions, and SOPs clearly.

- Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and improvement.

6. Certifications (Optional but Preferred):

- Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation.

- AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Azure Administrator certifications.

- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or similar for container orchestration experience.

7. Experience:

- Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience with Ansible playbook development and system automation.

- Proven track record of developing and implementing automation solutions in enterprise environments.