Firewall Engineer

SAIC; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Firewall Engineer in Suffolk, VA to support a Navy IT enterprise transport network, ensuring 24/7/365 availability. The role focuses on building and maintaining perimeter security systems, conducting testing, and coordinating with vendors.

The candidate will work onsite in Suffolk and contribute to security, reliability and incident response, with frequent collaboration in cross-functional teams. A Top Secret/TS clearance is required or must be able to obtain it.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and nine (9) years of experience.
• Expert experience with Palo Alto, Panorama, Fortinet FortiGate NGFW, A10 Encryption Traffic Inspection, and Cisco ESA & ASA.
• Experience developing SSL encryption/decryption solutions for traffic inspection.
• Experience with Firewall/DMZ infrastructure and Packet Filtering techs (Palo Alto, FortiNet FortiGate).
• Proven ability to perform root cause analysis, risk identification, and risk mitigation.
• Knowledge of configuring Cisco switches.
• Ability to obtain an Operating System certification (e.g., CCNA or Linux+) within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Build, design, test and deploy perimeter security systems.
• Directs compilation of records and reports on perimeter operations and maintenance.
• Supports problem management, root cause analysis, and remediation activities with vendor support.
• Supports configuration and testing of replacement perimeter devices.
• Plans, documents, and implements hardware and software build/refresh cycles.
• Create and maintain SOPs and guides for perimeter hardware and software.
• Attend weekly teleconferences and onsite meetings; participate in working groups.

Skills

SSL encryption

Root cause analysis

Risk identification

Cisco switches

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 9 years experience

Tools

Palo Alto firewalls

Panorama management

Fortinet FortiGate NGFW

A10 Encrypted Traffic Inspection

Cisco ESA & ASA

Job description

Job ID 2616997

Location Suffolk, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-09-17

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Systems Engineer

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required Top_Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain TS/SCI

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

SAIC is seeking a Firewall Engineer with experience in US Navy IT networks to support the sustained operation and maintenance of a newly deployed naval enterprise transport network, ensuring 24/7/365 availability and reliability.

This position is onsite in Suffolk, VA.

Responsibilities include

• Build, design, test and deploy perimeter security systems.
• Directs compilation of records and reports concerning perimeter operations and maintenance to analyze the performance of perimeter security systems.
• Provides input to the problem management process, including assessing and evaluating software and hardware anomalies. Supports the root cause analysis efforts to determine problems and develop remediation activities. Interfaces with vendor support service groups to ensure proper support during outages or periods of degraded system performance.
• Supports the configuration and testing of replacement perimeter devices.
• Plans, documents, and implements hardware and software build and refresh cycles.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures and guides for new and/or existing perimeter hardware and software.
• Attend weekly teleconferences, onsite meetings, and participate in working groups, as related to constant changing security environment.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and nine (9) years of experience.
• Expert experience in one or more of the following security devices Palo Alto firewalls, Panorama management console, Fortinet FortiGate NGFW, A10 Encrypted Traffic Inspection/Application Delivery, and Cisco ESA & ASA.
• Experience developing and configuring SSL encryption/decryption solutions for traffic inspection.
• Experience supporting the configuration and maintenance of Firewall/DMZ infrastructure including Network and Application Firewall Packet Filtering technologies (Palo Alto, FortiNet FortiGate.)
• Firsthand experience in developing and providing quality assurance review of engineering change orders relating to the replacement or enhancement of perimeter security hardware and software.
• Experienced with performing root cause analysis, risk identification, and risk mitigation.
• Knowledgeable with configuring Cisco switches.
• Ability to obtain an approved Operating System certification (e.g., CCNA or Linux+) within 6 months of hire.

Required Clearance

• US Citizenship.
• Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.