Network Automation Engineer, Global Network Operations at Google

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Network Automation Engineer, Global Network Operations
Company: Google
Location: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: June 24, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years)

🚀 Role Summary

📝 Enhancement Note: This role combines global core network engineering and software development to build and introduce technology that improves Google's network reliability and operational cost. It requires a strong background in network routing protocols, programming, and data analysis.
Drive quantifiable analysis of network measurements and capacity forecasts to enhance network scalability, efficiency, and user experience.
Evaluate network inefficiencies and propose designs, software, and processes to improve them.
Automate network repair processes to reduce Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), human error, and operational cost.
Collaborate with partner software engineering teams to leverage repair automation infrastructures.
Operationalize new core network technology to take advantage of next-generation features and improve cost per byte and spectrum efficiency.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role focus on network analysis, automation, and optimization, requiring a strong technical background and innovative problem-solving skills.
Analyze network measurements and capacity forecasts to identify areas for improvement and enhance network performance.
Evaluate network inefficiencies and complexities, and propose designs, software, and processes to optimize them.
Develop and maintain software services, tools, and automation frameworks to analyze and troubleshoot global-scale core networks and their supporting systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate repair automation infrastructures and consolidate the network repair automation stack.
Plan and coordinate the introduction of new core network technology to production, ensuring next-generation features are leveraged and operational costs are minimized.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

3 years of experience with network routing protocols, design, and troubleshooting, with network equipment providers.
Experience in one or more programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python.
Experience in developing and maintaining software services, tools, and automation frameworks for global-scale core networks.

Required Skills:

Network routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, IS-IS)
Network design and troubleshooting
Programming languages: C++, Go, or Python
Software development and maintenance
Data analysis and capacity forecasting
Network repair automation

Preferred Skills:

Experience with planning and designing large-scale networks
Knowledge of IP backbone (e.g., routing protocols, IP addressing, management and control planes)
Knowledge of optical network (e.g., DWDM, OTN, coherent transceivers)
SQL scripting and querying complex data structures
Familiarity with network equipment providers and their products

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role does not explicitly require a web portfolio, demonstrating relevant network engineering and software development projects showcasing your skills in network automation, data analysis, and troubleshooting can be beneficial.
Portfolio Essentials:
- Documented network automation projects demonstrating your ability to analyze network data, optimize processes, and automate repair tasks.
- Case studies showcasing your experience in network design, troubleshooting, and capacity planning.
- Examples of your proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python, with a focus on network-related applications.
Technical Documentation:
- Well-commented code demonstrating your commitment to code quality and maintainability.
- Documentation of network automation tools and processes, including data analysis techniques and capacity forecasting models.
- Evidence of your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate repair automation infrastructures.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 - €80,000 per year (Based on market research for mid-senior level network engineering roles in Dublin, Ireland)
- 📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on market research for mid-senior level network engineering roles in Dublin, Ireland. Actual salary may vary depending on factors such as experience and negotiation.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and stock options
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous vacation and parental leave policies
- On-site meals, snacks, and beverages
- Employee discounts on Google products and services
- Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and conferences
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology
Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees)
Founded: 1998
Team Structure:
- The Network Team is responsible for operating Google's global network reliably and at scale.
- The team owns the full life cycle of all space, power, and network assets in Google's data centers and metro points of presence globally.
- The team is involved in every facet of network delivery, from architecture and design to installation, configuration, activation, and commissioning.
Development Methodology:
- Agile/Scrum methodologies for software development and network project management.
- Collaborative development processes, including code reviews, testing, and quality assurance.
- CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment for network services and tools.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years) Network Automation Engineer, with a focus on global core network engineering and software development.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Network Engineering team, with potential cross-functional collaboration with other Google teams.
Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Google's global network reliability, efficiency, and operational cost, ensuring users stay connected to Google's suite of applications, products, and services.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): Dublin, Ireland
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative workspaces with multiple monitors and testing devices available.
- Cross-functional team interaction and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
- Flexible work schedules to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:
- Online assessment or coding challenge focused on network routing protocols, data analysis, and programming language proficiency.
- Technical deep dive into network automation, repair processes, and capacity forecasting models.
- Behavioral questions focusing on problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
- Final round with stakeholders to assess cultural fit and team dynamics.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight network automation projects that demonstrate your ability to analyze network data and optimize processes.
- Showcase your experience in network design, troubleshooting, and capacity planning through case studies and examples.
- Emphasize your proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python, with a focus on network-related applications.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on network routing protocols, data analysis techniques, and programming language proficiency.
- Practice network troubleshooting exercises and capacity forecasting models.
- Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences and achievements in network engineering and software development.
ATS Keywords:
- Network Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS
- Network Design & Troubleshooting
- Programming Languages: C++, Go, Python
- Software Development & Maintenance
- Data Analysis & Capacity Forecasting
- Network Repair Automation
- Global Core Network Engineering
- IP Backbone & Optical Network
- Network Equipment Providers

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Programming Languages:
- C++
- Go
- Python
Network Equipment Providers:
- Cisco
- Juniper
- Arista
- Other relevant network equipment providers
Network Infrastructure Tools:
- Network automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
- Network monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus)
- Network configuration management tools (e.g., Netmiko, NAPALM)
Databases:
- SQL databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL)
- NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra)
- Time-series databases (e.g., InfluxDB, TimescaleDB)
Cloud Platforms:
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:
- Innovation and continuous learning
- Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
- User-focused design and optimization
- Performance and efficiency in network services and tools
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional integration between network engineering, software development, and other teams.
- Code review culture and peer programming practices.
- Knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:
- Staying up-to-date with the latest network routing protocols, data analysis techniques, and emerging technologies.
- Troubleshooting complex network issues and optimizing network performance at scale.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate repair automation infrastructures and consolidate the network repair automation stack.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Attend industry conferences and workshops focused on network engineering, software development, and data analysis.
- Pursue relevant certifications (e.g., Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)).
- Engage in mentorship programs and leadership development opportunities within Google.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:
- Network routing protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, IS-IS)
- Network design and troubleshooting
- Data analysis and capacity forecasting models
- Programming language proficiency (C++, Go, Python)
- Network automation tools and processes
Company & Culture Questions:
- Google's network architecture and design principles
- The role of the Network Team in operating Google's global network
- Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork within Google
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Highlight network automation projects that demonstrate your ability to analyze network data and optimize processes.
- Showcase your experience in network design, troubleshooting, and capacity planning through case studies and examples.
- Emphasize your proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python, with a focus on network-related applications.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Network Automation Engineer position:

Submit your application through the Google Careers website.
Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant network engineering and software development projects, with a focus on network automation, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
Prepare for the online assessment or coding challenge by brushing up on network routing protocols, data analysis techniques, and programming language proficiency.
Research Google's network architecture, design principles, and the role of the Network Team in operating the global network.
Practice network troubleshooting exercises and capacity forecasting models to solidify your technical skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and network engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the Google hiring organization before making application decisions.

Network Automation Engineer, Global Network Operations