Consultant | Network-Firewall_and_Media | Palo Alto

Vendor rate: competitive hourly rate (supplier-submitted). Hybrid role based in Richardson, TX; relocation candidates considered. Visa-independent candidates only.

About the role

We are seeking a Network Security Engineer with deep Palo Alto expertise to join a Global Operations center environment. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of hands-on experience, exceptional documentation and communication skills, and the ability to lead under pressure in a rapidly changing, customer-focused setting.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute firewall operations: major/minor upgrades, faulty firewall replacement, migrations, and new firewall builds.
• Resolve P1/P2/P3 incidents and troubleshoot L1/L2/L3 tickets.
• Manage ticket queues, assign tickets, and prioritize urgent customer-impacting issues.
• Handle service requests and perform standard changes as per client-defined processes.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Palo Alto Firewalls, creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Attend client calls and technical meetings; create Problem tickets and conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Identify Service Improvement Program (SIP) opportunities to proactively reduce incidents.
• Review and maintain documentation; collaborate with hardware/software vendors and TAC to resolve issues.
• Coordinate shifts and handoffs between teams; cross-train and mentor junior engineers.
• Participate in network and security projects; perform compliance, SLA/KPI reporting, and other assigned duties.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience with Palo Alto Firewalls, VPN (IPSEC, SSL), IPS, Panorama Dashboard, and PRISMA.
• Experience in a Global Operations center or similar customer service environment.
• Proficiency with ServiceNow or other ticketing systems.
• Ability to manage stressful situations, adapt to changing environments, and prioritize effectively.
• Strong documentation and communication skills; leadership experience with firewall teams is a plus.
• Experience collaborating with multiple CIS teams in large enterprises (100+ Palo Alto Firewalls preferred).