Senior IT Analyst - Networking

About the role

The Network Engineer will play a critical role in the operation, maintenance, and optimization of the company’s networking infrastructure with a strong emphasis on leveraging Cisco technologies. This position is part of the broader IT department and contributes to all systems and responsibilities in service of the corporation.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and manage Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC) solutions across enterprise environments, including physical, virtual, and cloud-delivered deployments.
• Configure and tune advanced Cisco security features, including intrusion prevention system (IPS), malware protection, URL filtering, Domain Name System (DNS)-based security, Security Intelligence, and Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) decryption policies.
• Deploy and integrate Cisco Secure Firewall solutions in cloud environments, including Microsoft Azure, while supporting centralized policy management and secure connectivity across hybrid infrastructures.
• Maintain and develop client-facing security architectures, integrating Cisco platforms with security information and event management (SIEM) tools and automation solutions, and deliver recommendations that align technical requirements, compliance needs, and business objectives.
• Respond to and resolve Help Desk tickets by troubleshooting technical hardware, software, and internet issues and providing end-user support.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in a technical field (e.g., Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology) or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing, deploying, and managing Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC) in enterprise environments, including physical appliances, virtual instances, and cloud-delivered Firewall Management Center (cdFMC).
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience with 802.1X Network Access Control (NAC), guest lifecycle management, profiling policies, TrustSec segmentation, and Cisco Firepower capabilities including intrusion prevention system (IPS), malware protection, URL filtering, Domain Name System (DNS)-based security, SSL/TLS decryption, and cloud firewall deployments in Microsoft Azure.
• Progressive proven experience in troubleshooting network, hardware, and software issues.
• CCNP Security or CCIE Security certification is preferred.
• Additional cybersecurity certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), or GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender are a plus.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work well with all levels of employees and outside contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Effective project management skills.
• Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to design, assess, and troubleshoot enterprise network security environments using Cisco security technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC).
• Ability to support 802.1X network access control, profiling, guest access, TrustSec segmentation, and policy enforcement requirements.
• Ability to analyze and tune firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), SSL/TLS decryption, and threat prevention controls.
• Ability to support secure network and firewall deployments across on-premises, campus, data center, and cloud environments.

Benefits

Houston Forensic Science Center offers a competitive salary and benefit package.