Automation Engineer IV (Python and Ansible)

Job Profile Summary

An Automation Engineer IV is a senior individual contributor responsible for architecting, standardizing, and leading automation initiatives across VMware-based infrastructure. This role drives the design of scalable, reusable automation frameworks using Ansible and Python, while influencing platform strategy and best practices.

The engineer is expected to provide technical leadership, handle highly complex problems, and guide teams in building robust, enterprise-grade automation solutions.

Critical Competencies

• Excellence: Exceeds expectations by consistently demonstrating accountability, discipline, high performance, and a proven track record of exceptional results.

• Customer-driven: Prioritizes customer needs and satisfaction through collaborative and proactive problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to customer success.

• Expertise: Possesses deep understanding of customer needs and continually grows and enhances skills to provide customer-focused solutions.
• Agility: Quickly adapts and responds to dynamic customer needs and expectations through innovative solutions.
• Compassion: Cultivates a positive and supportive environment to effectively work together towards a common goal, fostering trust within Rackspace and with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale automation using Ansible

• Architect automation solutions for VMware infrastructure (provisioning, lifecycle and operations)

• Develop advanced Python-based automation tooling and integrations

• Define and enforce standards for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation architecture

• Identify risks, optimize performance, and reduce technical debt in automation systems

• Mentor engineers, conduct design reviews, and act as a technical authority

• Evaluate and adopt new tools/technologies to enhance automation capabilities

Core Technical Skills (Must Have)

• Deep expertise in Ansible (advanced playbooks, roles, collections, AWX/Automation Controller at scale)

• Proficiency in Python scripting and automation development

• Hands-on experience with VMware ecosystem:

• vSphere / ESXi / vCenter

• Large-scale virtualization and infrastructure automation

• Solid understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles

• Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, coding agents) to accelerate engineering workflows & understanding of responsible AI usage

Good to Have Skills

• Exposure to Apache Airflow or similar workflow orchestration tools

• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus

• Exposure to software-defined data center (SDDC) concepts

Education

• High School Diploma or regional equivalent required

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in field related to role. At the manager’s discretion, additional relevant experience may substitute degree requirement

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in the field of role required

About Rackspace Technology

We are the multicloud solutions experts. We combine our expertise with the world’s leading technologies — across applications, data and security — to deliver end-to-end solutions. We have a proven record of advising customers based on their business challenges, designing solutions that scale, building and managing those solutions, and optimizing returns into the future. Named a best place to work, year after year according to Fortune, Forbes and Glassdoor, we attract and develop world-class talent. Join us on our mission to embrace technology, empower customers and deliver the future.

More on Rackspace Technology

Though we’re all different, Rackers thrive through our connection to a central goal: to be a valued member of a winning team on an inspiring mission. We bring our whole selves to work every day. And we embrace the notion that unique perspectives fuel innovation and enable us to best serve our customers and communities around the globe. We welcome you to apply today and want you to know that we are committed to offering equal employment opportunity without regard to age, color, disability, gender reassignment or identity or expression, genetic information, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, military or veteran status, nationality, ethnic or national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any legally protected characteristic. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.