Principal Security Engineer

Role Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Security Engineer to oversee the strategy, engineering, and modernization of the organization's global firewall infrastructure. This senior-level role involves leading enterprise-wide firewall policy governance, standardization, and operational excellence across a complex, multi-region environment. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in Palo Alto Networks firewalls, Panorama, and scalable security architecture design to enhance security posture and operational efficiency through automation and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for enterprise firewall management and security architecture.
• Design, implement, and uphold global firewall standards, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Lead initiatives to standardize firewall policies across regions, business units, and environments.
• Develop scalable firewall infrastructure design patterns for cloud, data center, and hybrid environments.
• Continuously improve firewall architecture, security controls, and operational processes to enhance efficiency and security.
• Manage firewall rule lifecycle, including design, validation, implementation, review, and recertification activities.
• Conduct policy optimization, rule cleanup, and identify redundant or overly permissive rules; ensure compliance and best practices.
• Analyze firewall environments to identify and address gaps, risks, and operational bottlenecks.
• Drive firewall modernization efforts incorporating advanced threat prevention, application-based policies, zero-trust principles, and security automation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to automate security workflows, vulnerability management, and policy deployment through scripting, APIs, and Infrastructure-as-Code tools.
• Mentor engineering teams, provide strategic guidance, and influence cybersecurity standards and architecture initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of network security engineering experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
• At least 5 years of advanced experience working with Palo Alto Networks firewalls and Panorama.
• Proven expertise in firewall policy design, optimization, and enforcement across complex environments.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, routing, switching, and enterprise security architectures.
• Experience with multi-site or global firewall deployments and hybrid/cloud networking models.
• Demonstrated ability to lead security modernization initiatives and improve security controls.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to translate technical insights into strategic recommendations.
• Availability to work on-site at the specified location.

Publishing Pay Range: $65.00 – $75.00 USD Hourly

• This position is based in office and requires employee to work on-site.