Senior Network Security Engineer (Palo Alto Focus)

Job Description

Job DescriptionBenefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance

Senior Network Security Engineer (Palo Alto Focus)Employment Type: Long-Term Contract (Up to Five Years)
Work Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week
Work Location: Hybrid (Three Days Onsite in Annapolis, Maryland; Two Days Remote)
Residency Requirement: Maryland or Northern Virginia or withing 4 hours from Maryland

Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Network Security Engineer with deep expertise in Palo Alto Networks technologies to support a large, highly regulated public sector environment. This role requires hands-on technical leadership, strong documentation skills, and the ability to operate in a mission-critical, 24x7 enterprise network.

Required Qualifications
Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in network security engineering
Active Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) certification
Active Cisco CCNA Enterprise or CCNA Security certification
Associate degree or higher in Information Technology or a related field
Hands-on experience with Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls
Experience with SSL/TLS inspection, VPN technologies, and intrusion prevention systems
Ability to report onsite in Annapolis, Maryland within four (4) hours when required
Authorized to work in the United States (no sponsorship available)

Preferred Qualifications
Ten (10) or more years of total enterprise networking and security experience
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) certification
Cisco CCNP Security or CCNP Enterprise certification
Experience supporting state or federal government environments
Experience working in highly regulated or security-sensitive environments
Knowledge of Cisco routing and switching, Network Access Control (ISE/RADIUS), and vulnerability management tools

Key Responsibilities
Design, implement, and support secure enterprise network architectures
Configure, optimize, and maintain Palo Alto firewall environments
Lead or support migrations from legacy security platforms to next-generation solutions
Troubleshoot complex network and security issues
Develop and maintain technical documentation, diagrams, and procedures
Collaborate with infrastructure, security, and operations teams
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers
Prepare weekly status reports and participate in stakeholder meetings

Work Expectations
Standard business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Eastern Time
Flexibility to support after-hours work as required
No remote work outside of the United States
Strict adherence to security, confidentiality, and data-handling policies

Why This Role Is Attractive
This role offers long-term stability, a mature Palo Alto security environment, a hybrid work schedule after onboarding, and the opportunity to serve as a trusted senior engineer within a mission-critical public sector organization.