Systems Administrator - Firewalls

Piper Companies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Sick Leave

Job summary

Zachary Piper Solutions seeks a Systems Administrator - Firewalls for a US Navy IT Services contract in San Diego, CA. This full-time, 100% onsite role focuses on securing enterprise network infrastructure, cloud connectivity, and Zero Trust modernization across mission-critical environments.

You will manage NGFWs, VPNs, and security platforms, while implementing STIGs and DoD directives. Strong documentation and cross-team collaboration are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a technical field.
• 7+ years of professional systems engineering/administration experience.
• IAT Level II Certification (Security+ or equivalent).
• Active Secret Clearance.
• Strong experience with enterprise firewalls, IPS, and VPN technologies.
• Deep understanding of network segmentation, VLANs, and firewall policy management.
• Experience implementing STIGs, IAVMs, and CTO requirements.
• Hands-on experience with Palo Alto NGFWs, Panorama, and Pan-OS.
• Experience with Splunk/Elastic for log aggregation and monitoring.
• Understanding of AWS/Azure networking and secure connectivity.
• Experience with ZTNA initiatives and Zero Trust migrations.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage, configure, deploy, and audit perimeter security devices across on-prem and cloud environments.
• Recommend and implement network security improvements and architecture enhancements.
• Design and maintain network segmentation strategies using VLANs and security policies.
• Apply STIGs, IAVMs, CTO directives and DoD cybersecurity requirements.
• Configure NGFW technologies including Palo Alto Panorama and Pan-OS.
• Coordinate with NIWC Pacific on device configurations and security standards.
• Support log aggregation, monitoring, and analysis using Splunk and Elastic.
• Troubleshoot VPN connectivity and firewall port exceptions.
• Implement and support secure AWS and Azure connectivity.
• Research, deploy Zero Trust Network Access technologies.
• Lead migration toward Zero Trust architectures.
• Maintain technical documentation and baselines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for secure network operations.

Skills

Firewall management

NGFW expertise

ZTNA initiatives

Cloud networking (AWS/Azure)

Security policy management

VPN & remote access

Troubleshooting & documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/IT/CS

Tools

Palo Alto Panorama

Pan-OS

Splunk

Elastic

GlobalProtect

AWS

Azure

Job description

Zachary Piper Solutions is currently seeking a Systems Administrator - Firewalls to support the a US NAVY IT Services Contract based in San Diego, CA. This position is a full-time role that will be 100% onsite. This role is critical in supporting and securing enterprise network infrastructure, cloud connectivity, and Zero Trust initiatives across mission-focused environments. As an Systems Administrator - Firewalls you will play a pivotal role in firewall management, network security architecture, cloud networking, systems engineering, and Zero Trust modernization efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage, configure, deploy, and audit perimeter security devices, including firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and VPN solutions across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Recommend and implement network security performance improvements and architecture enhancements.
• Design and maintain network segmentation strategies utilizing VLANs, site firewalls, and security policies.
• Apply and maintain compliance with STIGs, IAVMs, CTO directives, and other DoD cybersecurity requirements.
• Configure and support Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) technologies, including Palo Alto Panorama and Pan-OS.
• Coordinate with NIWC Pacific teams to ensure proper device configurations and adherence to security standards.
• Support log aggregation, monitoring, and analysis using Splunk, Elastic, and related security platforms.
• Troubleshoot VPN client connectivity issues and validate firewall port exception requests.
• Implement and support secure connectivity solutions for AWS and Azure cloud environments.
• Research, evaluate, and deploy Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) technologies.
• Lead migration efforts from traditional network access methodologies to Zero Trust architectures.
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation, diagrams, and configuration baselines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure secure and resilient network operations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of professional systems engineering/administration experience.
• IAT Level II Certification (security+ or equivalent)
• Active Secret Clearance.
• Strong experience managing, configuring, and troubleshooting enterprise firewalls, IPS, and VPN technologies.
• Deep understanding of network segmentation, VLAN implementation, and firewall policy management.
• Experience implementing and documenting STIGs, IAVMs, and CTO requirements.
• Hands-on experience with Palo Alto NGFWs, Palo Alto Panorama, and Pan-OS.
• Experience utilizing Splunk, Elastic, or similar log aggregation and monitoring platforms.
• Familiarity with GlobalProtect log analysis and VPN troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of AWS and Azure networking and secure connectivity methodologies.
• Experience implementing or supporting Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) initiatives.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills.

Compensation:

Salary Range:$130,000 - $140,000+depending on experience

Full Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Leave (where required by law)

This job opens for applications on 11/5/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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Keywords: Systems Engineer, Network Engineer, Palo Alto, Panorama, Pan-OS, NGFW, Firewall Administration, IPS, VPN, GlobalProtect, Splunk, Elastic, Zero Trust, ZTNA, AWS, Azure, Cloud Networking, Network Segmentation, VLAN, STIG, IAVM, CTO, Information Assurance, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Networking, Security Architecture, Network Security, Infrastructure Engineering, Cloud Security, Perimeter Security, Systems Integration, DoD, NIWC Pacific, Technical Documentation, Security Compliance, Log Analysis, Hybrid Infrastructure, Secure Connectivity, Mission Critical Systems, systems administrator, security+