Network Security Engineer

Job Opportunity: Network Security Engineer Company: Mfinite Consulting, LLC Location: Annapolis, MD (Hybrid) Employment Type: Contract / Staff Augmentation Contract Term: 5-Year Purchase Order Please note: This opportunity is not open to third-party vendors, staffing firms, or recruiters. Only direct applicants will be considered. Position Overview Mfinite Consulting is seeking an experienced Network Security Engineer to support a high-profile government client in Maryland. This role is critical to the planning, design, implementation, and ongoing support of secure, resilient network environments that operate 24x7. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in network security engineering, next-generation firewall technologies, and enterprise networking within regulated environments. The Network Security Engineer will support the full lifecycle of network security solutions—from requirements gathering and architecture design to implementation, troubleshooting, and documentation. Key Responsibilities Network Security Design & Engineering Identify organizational and technical requirements to design and engineer secure data communication solutions Architect scalable, redundant, and highly available network security systems Platform Modernization & Migration Lead or support the migration of legacy network security platforms to next-generation technologies Troubleshooting & Threat Response Assist network engineering teams with complex troubleshooting, incident response, and threat remediation related to network security products Documentation & Reporting Develop detailed technical documentation, including network diagrams, design artifacts, project plans, and user guides Produce weekly status reports outlining project progress, milestones, risks, and completed tasks Team Coordination & Support Coordinate and schedule activities with technical team members to resolve end-user issues efficiently Provide technical guidance and mentorship as needed Required Qualifications Education Associate degree or higher Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a NACES- or AICE-member organization Certifications (Active) Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) or Network Security Professional Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Enterprise or Security Preferred Skills & Experience Experience: 10+ years of CONUS-based experience in IT networking and network security Firewall & Security Technologies: 5+ years of hands-on experience with Palo Alto next-generation firewalls, including IDS/IPS and content filtering Networking: 4+ years of experience with complex switching, routing, and wireless networks using Cisco technologies Network Access Control: 2+ years of experience with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), FreeRADIUS, and Access Control Lists (ACLs) Additional Technical Skills: Multi-factor authentication (Microsoft MFA) Cloud-based virtual networking Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Vulnerability management tools (e.g., Nessus, Nmap) Advanced Certifications (Preferred): Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) – Enterprise or Security Work Schedule & Environment Hybrid Work Model: First 6 Months: 3 days on-site / 2 days remote (Annapolis, MD) After 6 Months: Potential for 2 days on-site / 3 days remote based on performance and client approval Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST Flexibility Requirements: Ability to report on-site within four (4) hours when required Availability for extended hours, on-call support, or critical deadlines as needed Equal Opportunity & Security Notice Mfinite Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All selected candidates must comply with client security policies, including the exclusive use of client-provided technology and approved data storage solutions.