Cloud Network Engineer - Palo Alto Firewall (11-15 yrs)

Role : Cloud Network Engineering

Location : Noida/Bangalore/Pune/Mumbai/Gurgaon (Hybrid)

Experience : 11 - 15 Years

Mode of Work : Contract

Primary Skills :

- Cloud Network Engineering

- Palo Alto Firewall

Roles & Responsibilities :

As a Cloud Network Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and optimizing the network infrastructure, with a primary focus on Palo Alto Firewalls and related systems. Your expertise will ensure the security, performance, and reliability of the enterprise network environment. You will be expected to contribute across various network engineering functions and work closely with system engineers to support and enhance enterprise-wide services.

Key Responsibilities :

Support (Tier 2) :

- Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve enterprise network issues across cloud environments and on-premise network systems.

- Provide advanced technical support to address and resolve network connectivity, security, and performance issues.

- Engage in root cause analysis and recommend improvements to mitigate potential issues and optimize performance.

- Focus will primarily be on managing and resolving issues with Palo Alto Firewalls, Identity Services Engine (ISE), GlobalConnect, and possibly Cisco/Meraki network devices.

- Act as the escalation point for complex network incidents, offering timely and effective solutions.

Implementation :

- Plan, design, and implement solutions for the enterprise network infrastructure, adhering to best practices and industry standards.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless implementation of network solutions in alignment with business objectives.

- Facilitate change management processes and assist with the deployment of network upgrades, patches, and configuration changes.

- Coordinate the deployment of new technologies and manage the integration of cloud and on-prem network infrastructure, including integrations with Azure and GCP.

- Ensure solutions meet scalability, performance, and security requirements while anticipating future network needs.

Maintenance & Performance Monitoring :

- Maintain the overall health of network systems, ensuring optimal operation of the infrastructure across all platforms.

- Perform routine configuration management, updates, and maintenance of Palo Alto Firewalls, ensuring they are always compliant with security policies.

- Continuously monitor the performance, availability, and security of enterprise network systems.

- Conduct proactive system health checks and performance tuning on both the firewall and supporting network infrastructure.

- Ensure high availability and disaster recovery protocols are in place to minimize downtime and protect critical systems.

Security Management :

- Oversee the day-to-day administration, configuration, and maintenance of Palo Alto Firewalls, including setting up firewall policies, VPNs, NAT, security zones, and traffic monitoring.

- Provide expertise in network security principles, including intrusion detection/prevention, threat mitigation, and network segmentation.

- Work with other security teams to address vulnerabilities and implement remediation strategies.

- Ensure compliance with internal and external security standards and regulations, including regular security audits and assessments.

- Keep up with the latest trends in network security to identify and address emerging threats proactively.

Documentation :

- Maintain thorough documentation for all network designs, implementations, and changes, ensuring that solutions are well-documented for future reference and support.

- Document and standardize processes and procedures to facilitate knowledge sharing across teams.

- Record troubleshooting steps, issue resolutions, and preventive measures to improve team knowledge base and response time for recurring issues.

- Create and maintain network diagrams and topologies to reflect current infrastructure for clarity and effective planning.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Interaction :

- Work closely with other network engineers who are focused on different network technologies, outside of Palo Alto.

- Partner with system engineers who handle Windows/Linux/Azure/GCP platforms to ensure integrated network and system support across the organization.

- Provide guidance and expertise to junior network engineers and help develop their skills in network security and cloud technologies.

- Collaborate with external vendors, including Palo Alto Networks and other third-party network service providers, to resolve issues, request support, and implement new network solutions.

Continuous Improvement :

- Contribute to the continuous improvement of network infrastructure by identifying opportunities to optimize processes, enhance security, and streamline operations.

- Stay updated on industry trends, network engineering best practices, and advancements in cloud technology and security protocols.

- Research and evaluate new network tools and technologies that could benefit the enterprise network and present recommendations to the leadership team.

- Participate in post-mortem analysis after major incidents to improve processes and minimize the recurrence of similar issues.

Qualifications and Skills :

Experience :

- 11-15 years of relevant experience in Cloud Network Engineering, with significant hands-on experience in Palo Alto Firewalls and enterprise-level network infrastructure.

Core Skills :

- Strong experience with Palo Alto Networks, Cisco/Meraki, ISE, GlobalConnect, and cloud platforms such as Azure and GCP.

- Expertise in network troubleshooting, including TCP/IP, routing, and switching protocols.

- In-depth knowledge of network security concepts, including firewall configuration, VPN, IDS/IPS, and network segmentation.

- Proven experience in implementing and maintaining large-scale, highly available enterprise networks.

- Excellent understanding of network design principles, security policies, and best practices in cloud environments.

- Strong knowledge of network performance monitoring and management tools, as well as performance tuning.

- Demonstrated ability to document network designs, incidents, and troubleshooting steps in a clear and concise manner.

Soft Skills :

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders and team members.

- Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on detail and quality.

- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

- Strong customer focus with a proactive approach to resolving issues and providing exceptional service.

Education :

- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.

- This is a critical and dynamic role that demands a blend of strong technical acumen, hands-on experience, and collaborative abilities. You will be part of a team responsible for safeguarding the organization's network infrastructure and driving its continuous evolution in a cloud-first environment.