Network Security Expert / Onsite / Denton TX

A leading manufacturing organization in Denton, TX is looking to bring on an IT Network & Security Expert for a 6-month contract opportunity. This role sits within their infrastructure team and focuses heavily on enterprise networking and security technologies including Cisco, Palo Alto, firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP). This is a high-impact role where you'll own both network engineering and cybersecurity initiatives, rather than being siloed into one. They're looking for someone who can truly bridge infrastructure and security, helping to modernize and protect their environment while supporting compliance and long-term stability. It's a great opportunity for someone who wants hands-on ownership, exposure to enterprise-level security frameworks, and the ability to influence how the environment evolves. Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in network engineering and cybersecurity
• Strong experience with LAN, WAN, WLAN, and VPN environments
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP)
• Hands-on experience with firewalls (Palo Alto, Cisco, Cisco Firepower)
• Experience with security tools such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, and DLP
• Experience with IAM, MFA, PKI, and SSO
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
• Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field Desired Skills & Experience
• Certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, CISM, CEH, Security+, or Network+
• Experience with SD-WAN technologies
• Experience with Cisco ISE or NAC solutions
• Exposure to compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, CMMC)
• Cloud networking/security experience (AWS or Azure)
• Experience with Wi-Fi 6 technologies
• Background in SOC operations or threat analysis What You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown
• 30% Enterprise Networking (LAN/WAN/WLAN, routing, switching, MPLS, VLANs)
• 25% Firewalls & Perimeter Security (Palo Alto, Cisco, VPNs, load balancing)
• 20% Security Operations (SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, DLP)
• 15% Identity & Access Management (IAM, MFA, PKI, SSO)
• 10% Compliance & Risk (NIST, ISO, audits, DR planning) Daily Responsibilities
• 40% Hands On
• 10% Management Duties
• 50% Team Collaboration