Senior Network Security Engineer

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto is seeking a Senior Network Security Engineer to design, implement and maintain secure network infrastructures for a leading telecom provider. You will protect assets, manage firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and ensure availability of critical services.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in network engineering with strong security specialization, vendor certifications, and hands-on experience with BGP/OSPF, NAC, ISO 27001/NIST frameworks. Telecommunications experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in network engineering with a strong specialization in network security.
• Proven experience with enterprise-level firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Cisco ASA), IDS/IPS solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of TCP/IP, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and network segmentation.
• Experience with VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN) and NAC.
• Familiarity with security standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP Security, CISSP, or GIAC are highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in the telecommunications industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage secure network architectures and solutions.
• Deploy, configure, and maintain network security devices such as firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and load balancers.
• Monitor network traffic for security threats and anomalies, and respond to incidents promptly.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate security weaknesses.
• Develop and enforce network security policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with IT operations teams to troubleshoot network issues and implement security enhancements.
• Stay abreast of the latest network security threats, trends, and technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior security staff.
• Document network security configurations, procedures, and incident reports.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving

Excellent communication and teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field

Tools

Palo Alto firewalls

Cisco ASA

IDS/IPS

VPN technologies

NAC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a large telecommunications provider, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Network Security Engineer to join their dedicated team in Soweto. This role is critical for designing, implementing, and maintaining the security infrastructure of the company's extensive network. You will be responsible for protecting network assets from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and ensuring the integrity and availability of network services. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in network protocols, security technologies, and a proactive approach to threat mitigation. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on challenging network security projects within a leading organization in the telecom sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage secure network architectures and solutions.
• Deploy, configure, and maintain network security devices such as firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and load balancers.
• Monitor network traffic for security threats and anomalies, and respond to incidents promptly.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate security weaknesses.
• Develop and enforce network security policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with IT operations teams to troubleshoot network issues and implement security enhancements.
• Stay abreast of the latest network security threats, trends, and technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior security staff.
• Document network security configurations, procedures, and incident reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in network engineering with a strong specialization in network security.
• Proven experience with enterprise-level firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Cisco ASA), IDS/IPS solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of TCP/IP, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and network segmentation.
• Experience with VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN) and network access control (NAC).
• Familiarity with security standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP Security, CISSP, or GIAC are highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in the telecommunications industry is a plus.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive benefits including medical aid and retirement plans
• opportunities for professional development and certifications
• a stable, growth-oriented work environment in Soweto

You will play a key role in safeguarding the company's critical network infrastructure and contributing to the advancement of secure telecommunication services.