Senior Firewall Security Engineer

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Firewall Security Engineer with a strong background in designing, implementing, and managing enterprise-level firewall solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience on the Fortinet firewalls, along with a deep understanding of network security principles, protocols, and best practices.

This role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the security, reliability, and performance of Caltech's network infrastructure. The candidate will be responsible for configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing firewall systems to protect the organization from cyber threats.

This is an Organizational Critical position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as organizational critical is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible to assist in division/department response and recovery efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and manage firewall solutions, with a focus on Fortinet platforms.
• Configure and maintain firewall policies, rules, and access controls to ensure secure network traffic flow.
• Monitor and analyze firewall logs and alerts to identify and respond to potential security incidents.
• Perform regular firewall audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing to ensure compliance with security policies and standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex network and firewall-related issues in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with IT and security teams to develop and implement network security strategies.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, vulnerabilities, and industry trends to proactively mitigate risks.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior team members.
• Participate in the evaluation and implementation of new security technologies and tools.
• Document firewall configurations, processes, and procedures for knowledge sharing and compliance purposes.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in network security, with a focus on firewall management.
• Proven hands-on experience with Fortinet firewall management platforms (Fortigate, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer).
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, VPNs, IDS/IPS, NAT, and other networking protocols and technologies.
• Experience with cloud security platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Certifications (Preferred):

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE).
• Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) certification (NSE 4 or higher).
• CISSP, CCNP Security, or equivalent certifications are a plus.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar) and automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Python) is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge security technologies in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and certification support.
• Flexible work arrangements and a focus on work-life balance.