Senior Network Security Engineer

ASSYST is seeking a Network Security Engineer who plays a critical role in planning, designing, implementing and supporting secure enterprise network environments. This position contributes to the stability, scalability, redundancy and security of 24x7 network operations by collaborating with engineering teams and stakeholders to deliver modern, resilient network security solutions.

Job Title: Network Security Engineer

Location: Annapolis, MD (Hybrid)

Key Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify organizational requirements and contribute to the design and engineering of secure network solutions aligned with operational needs.
• Perform project-based network security engineering, including design, installation, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Deliver assessment, design, and implementation services for secure data and networking environments.
• Develop detailed graphical and written design documentation and manage projects from initial design through acceptance.
• Support capacity planning, monitoring, maintenance, and performance reviews of secure data communications networks.
• Lead or support migrations from legacy network security platforms to next-generation technologies, enabling defense-in-depth security architectures.
• Assist engineering teams with troubleshooting critical network security issues and threat remediation efforts.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement configuration standards, change management processes and standard operating procedures.
• Lead and coordinate technical activities with team members to resolve end-user issues efficiently and accurately.
• Prepare and distribute weekly status reports outlining project progress, milestones and completed tasks.
• Facilitate weekly status meetings or ad hoc coordination sessions as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of technical experience in IT networking and network security within CONUS environments.
• Associate’s degree in Information Technology or a related discipline.
• Active or recently expired (within the last three years) industry certifications, including:
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall Engineer, or Palo Alto Networks Network Security Analyst
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise or CCNP Security

Preferred Experience and Technical Skills:

• Experience with Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall services, including intrusion detection and prevention, content filtering, VPNs, data loss prevention and TLS/SSL inspection.
• Experience with complex switching, routing, and wireless solutions using Cisco technologies.
• Experience with reverse proxies and load balancing solutions, including A10 Networks.
• Experience with Network Access Control solutions such as Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), FreeRADIUS and Access Control Lists (ACLs).
• Multifactor authentication implementations using Microsoft technologies.
• Cloud-based virtual networking and security services.
• Authentication standards including 802.1x for wired and wireless environments.
• Scalable routing protocols such as EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP.
• Enterprise data center environments utilizing micro-segmentation.
• Certificate management and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
• Vulnerability assessment and management tools including Nessus, NMAP and Windows, Unix, and Linux operating systems.
• Packet and protocol analysis using tools such as Wireshark, Riverbed, OpNet and network taps.
• Centralized network management platforms including Panorama and SolarWinds.
• Familiarity with major server and desktop operating systems and utilities.

ASSYST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.