Firewall Engineer

Description

Join our team at Cobalt Benefits Group and start an exciting new career in employee benefits solutions. As a Firewall Engineer (Palo Alto & Networking Focus), you’ll play an important role in helping us offer customized, self-funded insurance options to our clients and members.

We are seeking an experienced Firewall Engineer with a strong focus on Palo Alto Networks firewalls and a solid understanding of networking concepts to join our IT Security team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Palo Alto firewall appliances and network security solutions, ensuring that they are robust, secure, and effective. You will play a critical role in safeguarding our organization's network infrastructure, securing internal and external communications, and ensuring seamless connectivity across a variety of systems and devices.

Responsibilities:

• Palo Alto Firewall Management: Design, configure, and deploy Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including hardware and virtual instances, to ensure security best practices. Implement firewall policies, security rules, NAT, VPN (IPSec, SSL), and other network security configurations. Regularly monitor firewall logs, analyze traffic patterns, and optimize firewall performance. Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to firewall functionality, connectivity, and security incidents.
• Network Security: Develop and maintain security standards and guidelines for firewall deployment and network access control. Collaborate with network teams to implement secure network architecture. Provide expertise on secure network designs, segmentation, and routing to ensure overall network integrity. Perform vulnerability assessments and penetration tests related to firewall and network configurations.
• Security Incident Management: Respond to security alerts and incidents by analyzing logs and identifying potential security threats. Investigate suspicious activities and coordinate with the broader IT and security teams for resolution. Ensure that the firewall infrastructure is up to date with the latest security patches and software updates.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed documentation of firewall policies, rules, and configurations. Provide regular reports on firewall performance, security incidents, and network security posture.
• Collaboration & Training: Work closely with other IT teams (e.g., Network, Systems, and Security Operations) to enhance network security. Train and mentor junior staff on firewall best practices and network security concepts. Stay current with industry trends, vulnerabilities, and emerging technologies.

Requirements

• Proven experience with Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of networking protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, VPN, routing, switching, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with firewall policy creation, NAT rules, VPN setup (IPSec, SSL), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
• Experience with network security tools and technologies such as IDS/IPS, anti-virus, web filtering, and proxy configurations.
• Familiarity with networking concepts such as VLANs, Subnetting, Routing (BGP, OSPF), and network traffic analysis.
• Experience with SSL decryption, traffic inspection, and advanced security policies.
• Knowledge of cloud security and working with cloud-based firewalls or network security appliances is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) or equivalent. Networking certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Network . Security certifications are a plus.

Additional Skills:

• Experience with automation and scripting to enhance firewall operations.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools and log aggregation tools are a plus.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and handle security incidents in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication skills to interact with technical and non-technical teams.
• A collaborative mindset, eager to contribute to team success and continuously improve processes.

Benefits:

After successfully completing a waiting period, eligible Full-time employees have access to our comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Fantastic medical, dental, and vision insurance*
• Twice annual employer HSA contributions, covering 50% of the HDHP plan’s annual deductible!
• Company provided Basic Life and AD&D
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability**
• Flexible Spending Accounts*
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to a 6% employer-match** WOW! (100% fully vested after 3 years)
• 10 paid holidays
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• Annual Volunteer Paid Day
• Annual Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Lots of fun company events

Who We are:

As a trusted third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in self-funded benefit plans, Cobalt Benefits Group (CBG) is committed to helping employers find high-quality coverage at a cost they can afford. We administer self-funded insurance benefits through our three companies: EBPA, Blue Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts, and CBA Blue.

With over 30 years of experience and a dedicated team of more than 200 employees, we work collaboratively to build customized self-funded health plans, manage claim payments and disputes, and administer other specialized programs such as FSAs, HSAs, COBRA, and retiree billing. Join us as we match employers across our region with the right solutions for their employee benefit needs. To learn more about working at CBG, visit https://www.cobaltbenefitsgroup.com/careers/.

Benefit Waiting Period Notes:

*60 day waiting period

**90 day waiting period

Salary : $100,000 - $105,000