Senior Network Security Engineer

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane seeks a Senior Network Security Engineer to design, implement, and manage secure network infrastructure. This hybrid role blends remote work with in‑office collaboration at our Polokwane facility to safeguard systems against evolving cyber threats and maintain network integrity.

You will analyze traffic, perform vulnerability assessments and pen tests, develop security policies, respond to incidents, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or IT or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years in network security engineering.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP, UDP, DNS, HTTP/S and security concepts.
• Hands-on experience with firewalls and VPNs, SIEM, and security monitoring tools.
• Scripting in Python or Bash is a plus, strong analytical skills, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure network infrastructure including firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and WAFs.
• Monitor network traffic for threats using SIEM and related tools.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests to remediate weaknesses.
• Develop and enforce network security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Respond to security incidents with detailed analysis and resolution.
• Collaborate with IT operations to secure devices and systems.
• Stay updated on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies.
• Provide mentorship to junior security staff.
• Ensure compliance with security regulations and best practices.
• Manage and optimize security solutions for performance and efficiency.

Skills

Network security engineering

Threat monitoring

Scripting (Python, Bash)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Palo Alto

Cisco ASA

IDS/IPS

VPN concentrators

SIEM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent telecommunications provider, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Security Engineer to join their team in Polokwane. This hybrid role allows for a combination of remote work and in-office collaboration at our Polokwane facility. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing secure network infrastructure, safeguarding our systems against evolving cyber threats. The role involves analyzing network traffic, identifying vulnerabilities, and deploying robust security solutions. We are looking for a proactive and experienced professional who can provide technical leadership and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of our network operations. This is a key position within our IT security division, contributing to the overall security posture of the organization. Your expertise will be vital in maintaining a secure and reliable network for our Polokwane-based operations and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure network infrastructure, including firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and web application firewalls (WAFs).
• Monitor network traffic for security threats and anomalies, using SIEM and other security tools.
• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests to identify and remediate security weaknesses.
• Develop and enforce network security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Respond to and investigate security incidents, providing detailed analysis and resolution.
• Collaborate with IT operations teams to ensure the security of network devices and systems.
• Stay current with emerging security threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior security staff.
• Ensure compliance with relevant security regulations and industry best practices.
• Manage and optimize network security solutions for performance and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in network security engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, DNS, HTTP/S) and security concepts.
• Hands-on experience with network security devices such as firewalls (Palo Alto, Cisco ASA), IDS/IPS, and VPN concentrators.
• Experience with SIEM solutions and security monitoring tools.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation is a plus.
• Strong understanding of security frameworks and compliance standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities, suited for a hybrid work environment in Polokwane.
• Relevant security certifications such as CCNA Security, CCNP Security, CISSP are highly desirable.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary of R per annum , complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, a retirement fund, and annual performance bonuses. This hybrid role provides flexibility while requiring regular presence at our Polokwane office for collaborative efforts. A dedicated budget for professional development, training, and certifications is provided to foster career growth. You will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art security technologies in a supportive team environment.