Network Security Engineer - Firewalls & VPN Houston, TX (Onsite/Hybrid)
A well-established industrial services and distribution company based in Northwest Houston, TX is seeking a Network Security Engineer to join its growing IT infrastructure team. This individual will take ownership of the organization's firewall and VPN environment, focusing on Palo Alto administration, cybersecurity best practices, and secure network design.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in network security, hands-on experience with firewalls and VPNs, and the ability to guide the organization on industry-relevant security standards and compliance practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage, configure, and maintain Palo Alto firewalls, including rule sets, threat detection, and access control.
- Oversee VPN environments and ensure secure remote access protocols are enforced and maintained.
- Recommend, implement, and monitor cybersecurity best practices to improve the company's overall security posture.
- Provide hands-on support for network infrastructure operations as needed, including routing, switching, and troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess network vulnerabilities and assist in aligning practices with industry-specific security frameworks.
- Create and maintain documentation for firewall configurations, network security policies, and change management procedures.
- Assist in auditing, compliance reviews, and vendor evaluations related to security infrastructure.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience in network security or network engineering roles.
- Proven hands-on expertise with Palo Alto firewalls and VPN administration.
- Strong understanding of network protocols, security best practices, and incident response.
- Experience with developing or advising on security standards and compliance protocols.
- Industry certifications such as PCNSE, CCNP Security, CISSP, or similar are a plus.
- Strong communication and documentation skills; able to translate technical risks into business impact.