FIREWALL ENGINEER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Apr 14, 2025 - The Firewall Engineer possesses advanced knowledge of TCP/IP networking and is skilled in configuring firewalls, routers, and switching infrastructure using platforms such as Palo Alto and Cisco. This role requires expertise in analyzing firewall logs, implementing cloud-based security solutions, and maintaining secure environments for federal clients through tools like Microsoft Cloud App Security. The engineer applies multi-source data analysis and strong troubleshooting capabilities to ensure optimal network protection and operational resilience.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Firewall Engineer Resume
  • Firewall Administration
  • Network Security
  • System Configuration
  • VPN Troubleshooting
  • Policy Management
  • Log Analysis
  • Threat Analysis
  • Firewall Configuration
  • Vulnerability Testing
  • Device Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting
  • Customer Service
  • Change Management
  • Team Collaboration
  • Escalation Support
  • Issue Resolution
  • Audit Support
  • Task Prioritization
  • Technical Training
  • Continuous Improvement

Summary of Firewall Engineer Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Information Assurance with 8 years of Experience

  • Must have extensive experience with firewalls (at least ISE, Palo Alto, Cisco ASAs, FireMon and Juniper)
  • In-depth understanding of computer/network security concepts, VPNs, proxies, and networking
  • Experience designing, deploying, and maintaining boundary security solutions and exposure to enterprise network architecture
  • Experience analyzing network traffic, using a variety of network tools to assess security-related events, to assist in the rapid identification and isolation of issues during incidents and outages
  • Must have Cisco Security Certification and CISA or GIAC Certification
  • Combined experience with IT Cyber Security, Networking and Enterprise Technologies
  • Extensive hands-on experience implementing, supporting and troubleshooting the following technologies - Check Point, Fortinet, Force Point, FireMon, Palo Alto, Cisco, VPN, VMware and/or Microsoft enterprise applications, Azure
  • Experience working in an ITIL-modeled IT environment
  • Experience with IPSEC, VPN, and SSL and operational experience with firewall technologies
  • Ability to arrange calls with factories and interface with them to capture requirements and discuss segmentation activities

2. BS in Computer Engineering with 2 years of Experience

  • Must have current Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) certification or hands-on experience implementing Palo Alto Advanced/NextGen features to include App-ID, User-ID, Content-ID, URL Filtering, Threat Prevention, WildFire, Virtual Wire, Virtual System (VSys), Global Protect, NAT Policies, Security Profiles, Inbound SSL Decryption, Outbound SSL Decryption (SSL Forward Proxy), File Blocking, and Data Filtering
  • Hands-on experience with Palo Alto Panorama for centralized management of PAN-OS firewalls
  • Self-starter, able to gather requirements, plan, execute firewall engineering and support efforts
  • Able to perform gap analysis and initiate and recommend improvements
  • Strong demonstrated experience with network security architecture, design, and implementation best practices, i.e., Defense-in-depth architecture, knowledge of emerging Zero Trust architecture
  • Hands-on experience with firewall implementation, maintenance, and support
  • Experience with operational and security hardening configuration for firewall solutions
  • Hands-on experience with configuration management and change control for firewall solutions
  • Demonstrated experience with networking and switching protocols and infrastructure services
  • Able to troubleshoot and identify DNS, DHCP, WiFi protocols, NTP, SNMP, routing, switching, and firewall issues affecting the connectivity of applications and services
  • Must have working knowledge and understanding of network infrastructure components such as Routers, Switches, IDS, IPS, NAC, VPN Gateways, Wireless APs, etc.

3. BS in Network Engineering with 4 years of Experience

  • Must be customer-oriented with excellent issue follow-through and resolution abilities
  • Outstanding leadership and organizational skills
  • Utilize tools and analytical skills to plan and execute technical changes
  • Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to effectively work both autonomously as well as on a team
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, self-motivated and excellent presentation skills
  • Must be a Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)
  • Must have CompTIA Security, CCNA Security or other industry security certifications
  • Ability to perform technical analysis, planning, and monitoring of assigned firewall project tasks
  • Ability to perform technology capabilities market research, technical analysis/review, and provide recommendations
  • Hands-on experience with subnetting, routing and network segmentation
  • Ability to create and analyze packet captures

4. BS in Network Security with 6 years of Experience

  • In-depth understanding of TCP/IP networking including knowledge of protocols and services (ie, BGP, VRF, IPsec, SSL VPN)
  • Proficiency and/or hands-on experience with Firewalls, Routers, Switching infrastructure (ie, Palo Alto, Cisco)
  • Firewall engineering experience to include design and configuration of firewall solutions
  • Experience pulling firewall logs and performing analysis on the effectiveness of firewall solutions
  • Understanding of cloud security solutions and associated firewall engineering
  • Experience delivering and deploying firewall engineering services in a cloud environment
  • Experience with Microsoft Cloud App Security
  • Experience delivering services to the federal client
  • Hands-on experience in the IT security space
  • Must have the ability to work independently on multiple tasks
  • Strong troubleshooting skills specific to network security
  • Ability to analyze information from multiple sources and apply it to the operational environment in developing and maintaining the security posture of the network

5. BS in Security and Risk Analysis with 3 years of Experience

  • Must have CCSE (Check Point Certified Security Expert) Certification, CCSM (Check Point Security Master) Certification and CISSP or CISM certification 
  • Experience in technical leadership of IT projects involving network security 
  • Experience supporting a large enterprise network infrastructure
  • Operational experience with cloud firewall technologies
  • Experience with Checkpoint firewalls and IPS
  • Experience with Palo Alto firewalls and IPS
  • Knowledge of NextGen and threat prevention experience
  • Strong knowledge of best practices
  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, both oral and written
  • Must successfully pass a drug screen and federal background check
  • Experience with FireMon Security Manager
  • Ability to effectively work in cross-functional teams to resolve issues
  • Experience with Fortinet firewalls and IPS 
  • Experience with Cisco Sourcefire firewalls 

6. BS in Computer and Information Science with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience with firewall design, architecture, configuration, and deployment
  • Experience with Fortinet VDOMS and ADOMS, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager
  • Strong working knowledge of routing (BGP, MPLS-VRFs) and switching
  • Hands-on experience with security monitoring tools such as IDS/IPS, FWs and NACs, Identity Management systems and protocols such as NetFlow (Snort, Bro, Palo Alto, Checkpoint, Cisco ISE, FireEye, Gigamon)
  • Experience with both the Linux and Windows operating systems
  • Experience working with cloud services such as AWS, Azure, and strong knowledge of CASB tools
  • Experience in the use of network monitoring tools with a strong understanding of network protocols
  • Ability to perform security analysis, development and implementation of security policies, standards and guidelines
  • Ability to quickly explore, examine and understand complex security problems and how they affect a customer’s business
  • Excellent time management and organization skills, handling multiple, simultaneous and changing priorities under pressure and tight deadlines within a high-pressure environment
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