Senior Firewall Administrator

Job Description

Net Impact Strategies is seeking an experienced Senior Firewall Administrator to manage the agency's Palo Alto firewall infrastructure. In this role, you will oversee deployment, configuration, and maintenance of firewall systems—both on-premises and in cloud environments. You'll ensure security, performance, and availability, mentor junior staff, and integrate firewall solutions across the enterprise.

• Manage and maintain the organization's Palo Alto-based firewall infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, security, and availability.
• Lead the installation, configuration, and maintenance of Palo Alto firewall devices and cloud firewall configurations.
• Monitor and optimize the performance of firewall systems and network traffic, ensuring efficient resource allocation and minimal downtime.
• Diagnose and resolve complex firewall issues, including connectivity, performance, and security-related problems.
• Apply patches, updates, and security configurations to Palo Alto devices to maintain compliance and protect network security.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of firewall configurations, policies, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with IT and security teams to support organizational network security requirements and integrate firewall solutions with enterprise systems.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical expertise to junior firewall and network administrators.
• Ensure adherence to industry best practices for firewall management, security hardening, and troubleshooting.
• Support incident response and security operations by identifying, investigating, and mitigating firewall-related threats.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• 5-7 years of experience in network administration focused on Palo Alto firewalls
• Proven expertise with deployment, configuration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting of Palo Alto devices
• Strong skills in security policy application, patching, and device hardening
• Excellent documentation, analytical, and communication abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) certification
• Experience managing firewall solutions in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure)
• Familiarity with next-gen firewall features:
  App-, URL filtering, Wild Fire, Global Protect
• Automation/Scripting experience (Python, Power Shell) to enhance firewall management processes
• Knowledge of security compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, FISMA, DoD)

Net Impact Strategies Inc. (Net Impact) has been a Trusted Advisor driving impact through digital transformation for the Federal Government for over a decade. We solve complex problems with innovation and agility to create meaningful, transformative, and enduring change. As Trusted Advisors, Net Impact professionals partner with customer agencies to deliver solutions that empower them to not only meet their missions but also realize their strategic vision through agile, outcome-focused solutions addressing both strategic and tactical requirements.

We design and implement comprehensive, tailored solutions that are both mindful of the client's culture and organizational dynamics. Net Impact's core values and commitment to a customer and results-oriented delivery approach has propelled our growth and enabled us to deliver impactful value across Strategic Consulting, Process Automation, Cloud, Dev Sec Ops , Data and Analytics, and Cyber Security for the Federal Government.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTE

Net Impact Strategies is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended ("ADA"), and applicable state and local laws. It is Net Impact's policy not to discriminate against any qualified person or applicant with regard to any terms or conditions of employment on the basis of such individual's disability. Consistent with this policy of non-discrimination, Net Impact will provide reasonable accommodations to an individual with a disability, as defined in the ADA or applicable law, who has made Net Impact aware of his/her disability, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to Net Impact.

If you are an applicant and need reasonable accommodation when applying for job opportunities within Net Impact, or request reasonable accommodation to utilize Net Impact's online employment application, please contact ca