Senior Network Engineer (Security Focus)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility within Mpumal<

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Network Engineer focused on security to design, implement, and operate secure, high‑performance networks for demanding clients. You will lead firewall configurations, IDPS and SIEM deployments, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Based in Mpumalanga with a remote-work option, you will collaborate with system teams to deliver scalable solutions, perform audits, and mentor junior engineers while maintaining documentation and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in network engineering with a strong focus on network security.
• Experience with enterprise-level networking hardware (Cisco, Juniper, etc.).
• In-depth knowledge of TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS.
• Firewall configuration and management (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA).
• VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN).
• IDPS and SIEM deployment and management.
• Knowledge of encryption, authentication, and access control.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage secure and scalable network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs).
• Develop and maintain network security policies and procedures.
• Configure, deploy, and manage IDPS and SIEM solutions.
• Monitor network traffic for threats and respond to incidents.
• Perform regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Implement and manage NAC solutions.
• Ensure network availability and performance through proactive monitoring.
• Collaborate with admins and apps teams for secure integration.
• Troubleshoot complex network and security issues.
• Stay current with network security technologies and best practices.
• Provide technical leadership to junior engineers.
• Maintain accurate network documentation.

Skills

Network security

Firewall management

IDPS

SIEM

VPN

NAC

Monitoring

Team leadership

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT

Tools

Cisco equipment

Juniper equipment

Palo Alto

Fortinet

Cisco ASA

AWS VPC

Azure VNet

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading cybersecurity solutions provider, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Engineer with a strong emphasis on network security. This role is crucial for designing, implementing, and managing secure, high-performance network infrastructures that protect sensitive client data. You will be responsible for network architecture, firewall management, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and ensuring compliance with security standards. This is an excellent opportunity to work at the forefront of network security, contributing to cutting-edge solutions in a challenging and rewarding environment. This role offers a remote work option for candidates based in Mpumalanga and surrounding regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage secure and scalable network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Develop and maintain network security policies and procedures.
• Configure, deploy, and manage Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDPS) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions.
• Monitor network traffic for security threats and anomalies, and respond to incidents.
• Perform regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of the network infrastructure.
• Implement and manage network access control (NAC) solutions.
• Ensure network availability, performance, and reliability through proactive monitoring and maintenance.
• Collaborate with system administrators and application teams to ensure secure and efficient network integration.
• Troubleshoot complex network and security issues.
• Stay current with the latest network security technologies, threats, and best practices.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to junior network engineers.
• Maintain accurate network documentation, including diagrams and configurations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; relevant certifications are highly valued.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in network engineering, with a significant focus on network security.
• Strong experience with enterprise-level networking hardware (Cisco, Juniper, etc.).
• In-depth knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS).
• Expertise in firewall configuration and management (e.g., Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA).
• Experience with VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN).
• Proficiency in deploying and managing IDPS and SIEM tools.
• Understanding of network security best practices, including encryption, authentication, and access control.
• Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNA Security, CCNP Security, CISSP are highly desirable.
• Experience with cloud networking (e.g., AWS VPC, Azure VNet) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and advanced certifications.
• Remote work flexibility within Mpumalanga .
• Exposure to cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies.
• Collaborative and dynamic work culture.
• Generous annual leave.