Network Security Administrator III (Firewall)

Iridium Communications Inc; Tempe (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc. is seeking an experienced Network Security Administrator to manage our firewall environment, VPNs, and secure connectivity.

The role requires hands-on administration, problem solving, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work setting. Responsibilities include deploying and maintaining Fortinet/Check Point/Palo Alto/Cisco firewalls, configuring policies, and ensuring least-privilege security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Cybersecurity, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years in network security, administration, engineering, or firewall admin
• Hands-on with Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto, Cisco or similar firewall tech
• Strong networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, DNS, NAT, VPNs
• Understanding of least-privilege, segmentation, secure remote access, identity-based controls
• Experience troubleshooting using firewall logs, packet captures, traffic analysis, routing info
• Strong communication and documentation skills, ability to work with technical teams

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, administer, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise firewall and security platforms (Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto, Cisco)
• Manage firewall policies, NAT, network objects, security zones, routing, segmentation, VPN connectivity
• Administer centralized firewall management, logging, analytics, monitor health and performance of security infra
• Troubleshoot complex network security and connectivity issues using logs, captures, traffic flow, routing and session data
• Maintain reliability and security of firewall platforms via upgrades, HA testing, backups, lifecycle maintenance, policy review
• Develop and maintain network security docs: diagrams, standards, procedures, troubleshooting guides, recovery plans
• Participate in change-management: peer review, rollout/rollback planning, testing, post-change verification
• Support projects involving new/upgraded security tech; collaborate to implement and transition solutions

Job description

Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

Responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is looking for an experienced Network Security Administrator to help manage and support our network security environment. This is a hands-on role focused primarily on firewall administration, secure connectivity, network segmentation, VPNs, and the day-to-day operation of our security infrastructure. This position is responsible for understanding how traffic moves through a network to effectively work with enterprise firewalls to troubleshoot beyond the firewall itself, including routing, NAT, security policies, VPNs, and authentication to figure out why something isn’t working. This role requires someone to take ownership of their work, approach changes carefully, and follow problems through to resolution. The Network Security Administrator III will work independently on many tasks, but will also be part of a team and collaborate often with network, systems, security, and other technical groups to get things done.

What You’ll Do:

• Deploy, configure, administer, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise firewall and network security platforms, including technologies from Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco
• Manage firewall policies, NAT, network objects, security zones, routing, segmentation, VPN connectivity, and other network security controls following least-privilege principles
• Administer centralized firewall management, logging, and analytics platforms and monitor the health, availability, capacity, and performance of network security infrastructure
• Troubleshoot complex network security and connectivity issues using firewall logs, packet captures, traffic-flow analysis, routing and session information, and other diagnostic tools
• Maintain the reliability and security of firewall platforms through software upgrades, high-availability testing, configuration backups, lifecycle maintenance, and ongoing policy review and optimization
• Develop and maintain network security documentation, including diagrams, configuration standards, operating procedures, implementation plans, troubleshooting guides, and recovery procedures
• Participate in formal change-management processes, including peer review, implementation and rollback planning, validation testing, and post-change verification
• Support projects involving new or upgraded network security technologies and collaborate with other technical teams to evaluate, implement, and transition solutions into operational support

Qualifications

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree
• 5+ years of experience in network security, network administration, network engineering, or firewall administration
• Hands-on experience administering enterprise firewall technologies such as Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, or comparable platforms
• Strong networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, DNS, NAT, network segmentation, and VPN technologies
• Understanding of network security practices such as least-privilege access, segmentation, secure remote access, and identity-based access controls
• Experience troubleshooting network and security issues using firewall logs, packet captures, traffic-flow analysis, routing information, and other diagnostic tools
• Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to work effectively with other technical teams and clearly explain technical issues and solutions
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned work, manage competing priorities, and follow issues through to resolution

We’ll also need you to:

• Be able to work a hybrid schedule that includes at least 4 days per week in office
• Provide 24/7 on-call assistance as needed to support business operations
• Participate in scheduled maintenance activities that may occur outside normal business hours
• Be able to travel up to 10%
• Be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Be a U.S. citizen

ADA and EEO

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $90,000 - $120,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role.You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.