Network Security Engineer; Local to Annapolis

Job Title: Network Security Engineer

Contract Duration: 5 Years

Location: Hybrid – Annapolis, MD (3 days Onsite, 2 days Remote)

seeking one Network Security Engineer to support secure, stable, and scalable 24×7 network operations. The role focuses on planning, design, implementation, and ongoing support of enterprise network security infrastructure.

• Associate degree.
• Proof of degree required. Foreign education must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE member organization.
• Active certifications:
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) or Palo Alto Networks Network Security Professional.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Enterprise or Security.

• Ten (10) years of CONUS experience in IT networking and network security.
• Associate degree in an IT-related field.
• Certifications active or expired within the last three years:
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), Next-Generation Firewall Engineer, or Network Security Analyst.
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise or Security.

• 5 years experience with:
• Palo Alto next-generation firewalls
• Intrusion detection and prevention
• Content filtering
• VPNs
• Data loss prevention
• TLS/SSL inspection
• 4 years experience with Cisco switching, routing, and wireless technologies.
• 3 years experience with reverse proxies and load balancing using A10 networks.
• 2 years experience with network access control technologies, including Cisco ISE, Free RADIUS, and ACLs.

• Multifactor authentication with Microsoft solutions.
• Cloud-based virtual networking and security.
• 802.1x authentication for wired and wireless networks.
• Routing protocols including EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP.
• Data center micro-segmentation.
• Certificate management and PKI.
• Vulnerability management using Nessus, NMAP, and Windows, Unix, and Linux systems.
• Packet and protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark, Opnet, and Riverbed.
• Centralized management tools including Panorama and Solar Winds.
• Enterprise server and desktop operating systems.

• Design and engineer secure network solutions aligned with organizational needs.
• Perform project-based network security engineering, installation, and troubleshooting.
• Assess, design, and implement secure data networking environments.
• Develop detailed technical documentation, diagrams, and implementation plans.
• Support capacity planning, monitoring, and maintenance of secure networks.
• Lead or support migrations from legacy to next-generation security platforms.
• Assist in troubleshooting critical network security incidents and threat remediation.
• Implement and enforce configuration standards, change management, and operating procedures.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to resolve end-user issues.
• Produce weekly status reports and conduct status meetings as required.

• Ability to work independently and mentor junior staff.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation and project artifacts.