Firewall Engineer (Midrand) at Optimal Growth Technologies

Job Summary

• We are seeking an experienced and skilled Firewall Engineer to join our IT security team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in network security with in-depth expertise in Check Point and Palo Alto firewalls. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing firewall solutions to ensure the highest level of network security for our organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Firewall Management: Configure, deploy, and maintain Check Point and Palo Alto firewalls across multiple environments.
• Rule Optimization: Analyze, review, and optimize firewall rules and policies to ensure security and performance.
• Incident Response: Troubleshoot and resolve network security incidents and issues related to firewalls.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor firewall activities, generate reports, and ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Upgrades and Patching: Perform regular software upgrades, patches, and system maintenance for firewall systems.
• Security Standards: Ensure firewall configurations adhere to industry best practices and organizational security policies.
• Integration: Collaborate with other IT teams to integrate firewalls with SIEMs, VPNs, and other security tools.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation for firewall configurations, policies, and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: At least 5+ years of hands-on experience with Check Point and Palo Alto firewalls.

Certifications (preferred):

• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) / Expert (CCSE).
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE).

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in configuring and managing firewalls, NAT, VPNs, and IPS/IDS.
• Strong knowledge of security protocols, threat prevention, and secure network design.
• Familiarity with monitoring tools and log analysis for firewalls.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with cloud firewall solutions (e.g., Azure Firewall, AWS Network Firewall).
• Understanding of automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform) for network security.
• Familiarity with security frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, or CIS Controls.