Network Security Architect

TechHeads; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

TechHeads is seeking a senior Network Security Architect with deep Palo Alto Networks expertise to own enterprise firewall architecture in a hybrid Dublin, Ireland environment. You will design, challenge and take ownership of Palo Alto security solutions across on-prem and Azure platforms.

You will act as a technical authority for network and cybersecurity architecture, delivering secure connectivity and architecture documentation while guiding teams and suppliers on secure, resilient designs.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience across network engineering, security, or cybersecurity with architecture/design focus.
• Strong hands-on Palo Alto Networks firewall expertise essential.
• Experience designing Palo Alto firewall architectures, not just administration/monitoring.
• Knowledge of Palo Alto security policies, rulesets, high availability, segmentation, centralised firewall management.
• Experience leading enterprise firewall migrations, upgrades, or transformation projects.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture, design standards and evolution of the Palo Alto firewall estate.
• Design and review firewall solutions covering policies, rulesets, segmentation, HA and centralised management.
• Lead firewall upgrades, migrations and security improvements.
• Develop security architectures for Zero Trust, VPNs, remote access, DMZs and secure connectivity.
• Design secure connectivity across Azure, on-premises and third-party environments.
• Produce and review HLDs, LLDs, diagrams and architecture documentation.
• Provide architectural guidance to network, infra and cybersecurity teams.
• Collaborate with MSPs and external suppliers on designs and changes.
• Support security incidents, vulnerability remediation and risk assessments.
• Identify opportunities for standardisation and automation.

Skills

Palo Alto Networks firewall

Network security architecture

Hybrid/Azure connectivity

Security policy design

HLD/LLD documentation

Stakeholder communication

Technical leadership

Tools

Panorama

VM-Series

HA design tooling

Job description

Network Security Architect – Palo Alto Networks

Permanent | Hybrid | Dublin, Ireland

Palo Alto Networks | Network Security Architecture | Azure | Zero Trust

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior network security professional with deep Palo Alto Networks expertise to take ownership of enterprise firewall architecture and play a leading role in shaping secure, resilient network infrastructure. We are looking for someone who goes beyond firewall administration, a technical architect who can design, challenge, improve and take ownership of Palo Alto security solutions across complex enterprise environments.

You will act as a key technical authority for network and cybersecurity architecture, helping deliver secure connectivity across on-premises infrastructure, Microsoft Azure and third-party environments.

The Role

You will have responsibility for the architecture, design standards and ongoing evolution of the organisation's Palo Alto firewall estate, while contributing to wider network security projects and strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Take technical design ownership of the Palo Alto Networks firewall environment, ensuring secure, scalable and resilient architecture.
• Design and review Palo Alto firewall solutions covering security policies, rulesets, network segmentation, high availability and centralised management.
• Lead the technical design of firewall upgrades, migrations, replacements and security improvements.
• Develop network security architectures and standards covering Zero Trust, VPNs, remote access, DMZs and secure connectivity.
• Design secure network connectivity across Microsoft Azure, on-premises infrastructure and third-party environments.
• Produce and review High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), network diagrams and technical architecture documentation.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to network, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams.
• Work with managed service providers and external suppliers, reviewing technical designs, changes and deliverables.
• Support complex security incidents, vulnerability remediation and network security risk assessments.
• Identify opportunities to improve firewall security, standardisation, automation and operational resilience.
• 7+ years' experience across network engineering, network security or cybersecurity, including significant experience in architecture or senior technical design.
• Strong, hands-on Palo Alto Networks firewall expertise — this is essential.
• Proven experience designing Palo Alto firewall architectures, not simply administering or monitoring existing environments.
• Strong understanding of Palo Alto security policies, rulesets, high availability, segmentation and centralised firewall management.
• Experience leading or contributing to enterprise firewall migrations, upgrades or transformation projects.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise networking, including routing, switching, VPNs, IDS/IPS and network segmentation.
• Experience designing secure hybrid connectivity between Microsoft Azure and on-premises environments.
• Understanding of Zero Trust architecture, secure network design and cybersecurity risk.
• Experience producing architecture documentation, including HLDs, LLDs and technical design recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills, with the confidence to engage engineers, suppliers and senior technical stakeholders.

Particularly Relevant Experience

• Palo Alto Networks Panorama and centralised firewall management.
• Palo Alto PA-Series or VM-Series firewall environments.
• Palo Alto HA design, security policy optimisation and firewall lifecycle management.
• Complex enterprise network segmentation and secure hybrid-cloud connectivity.
• Working with managed security service providers or third-party network security partners.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Architecture ownership: Take a leading role in the design and direction of a significant Palo Alto firewall environment.
• High-impact projects: Work across enterprise network security, hybrid cloud, segmentation and security transformation.
• Technical influence: Help shape network security standards, roadmaps and architectural decisions.
• Variety and complexity: Work across on-premises, Azure and third-party technology environments.
• Attractive package: €90,000–€105,000 DOE, excellent benefits and a hybrid working arrangement in Dublin.