Network Architect

Key ResponsibilitiesLead the design and architecture of enterprise network environments with a strong emphasis on Palo Alto firewalls (PAN-OS, Panorama, Prisma Access)Define and enforce network security architecture standards, policies, and best practicesArchitect secure network segmentation, zero trust models, and advanced threat prevention strategiesEvaluate and implement new technologies to improve network performance, scalability, and security postureCollaborate with security, cloud, and infrastructure teams to align network architecture with business objectivesProvide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineers and operations teamsOversee firewall rulebase design, optimization, and governance (not just approvals—ownership)Lead incident response efforts related to network security and drive root cause analysisEnsure high availability and disaster recovery design across network environmentsRequired Qualifications8+ years of experience in network engineering/architecture rolesDeep expertise with Palo Alto Networks firewalls (next-gen firewalls, Panorama, GlobalProtect)Proven experience designing complex, enterprise-scale network architecturesStrong understanding of routing and switching (BGP, OSPF, VLANs, etc.)Experience with network security principles (segmentation, IDS/IPS, VPNs, zero trust)Hands-on experience with firewall migrations, upgrades, and large-scale deploymentsAbility to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutionsPreferred QualificationsPalo Alto certifications (PCNSE strongly preferred)Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and cloud-native security controlsFamiliarity with SASE frameworks, including Prisma Access or similar solutionsExperience with automation (Python, Ansible, Terraform) for network configurationKnowledge of compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO, SOC2)Exposure to multi-vendor environments (Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet)