Amazon Web Services (AWS), BGP, Cisco Network Systems, Cloud Computing, Communication Skills, Consulting, Cryptography, Embedded Systems, Firewalls, GCP (Good Clinical Practices), Government, IPsec (IP Security), Identify Issues, Leadership, Microsoft Windows Azure, Network Architecture/Engineering, Network Routers, Network Security, Network Switching, Open Shortest Path First Protocol (OSPF), Oracle, Packet Switching, Personal Area Network (PAN), Production Systems, Project/Program Coordination, Requirements Management, Root Cause Analysis, Routing Protocols, SSL-TLS (Secure Socket Layer - Transport Layer Security), State Government, Systems Administration/Management, Technical Leadership, Testing, VPN (Virtual Private Network), Virtual Machine (VM)
Palo Alto Network Consultant
100% remote (able to work PST hours)
6+ month contract to hire
$45.50- $52.50 an hour ($95k- $110k year salary upon conversion)
We are seeking an experienced Senior Network & Security Engineer to join our team in a staff augmentation capacity, serving as a resident engineer for a large state government customer. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for all things Palo Alto, designing, deploying, and managing enterprise firewall infrastructure at scale while also providing escalation support across a broader Cisco and multi-vendor network environment. You will collaborate closely with internal teams, leadership, and end-user stakeholders to maintain a secure, high-performing network. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on experience with Palo Alto technologies, strong cloud networking fundamentals, and the communication skills to work effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.
Required skills
- Solid understanding of core networking concepts, including the differences between routers and switches, and packet vs. frame-based data transfer
- Hands-on experience deploying dynamic routing protocols, particularly OSPF and BGP, with the ability to justify protocol selection based on environment needs
- Experience with static routing and knowledge of when to apply it over dynamic alternatives
- Proficiency managing Palo Alto firewalls using Panorama, including template and device group configuration to support large-scale deployments (100+ firewalls)
- Experience configuring SSL/TLS decryption policies on Palo Alto firewalls, including defining source/destination zones and setting up SSL forward proxy
- Ability to plan and execute Palo Alto PAN-OS upgrade paths across major and minor versions, including pre-upgrade preparation, backup, compatibility checks, and rollback planning
- Experience configuring and troubleshooting VPN solutions, including GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, and IPsec tunnels (including an understanding of IPsec components: AH, ESP, tunnel/transport modes, and security associations)
- Familiarity with cloud networking across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP, including dedicated connectivity options such as AWS Direct Connect and the VPN-based alternatives
- Experience deploying VM-Series firewalls in cloud environments, including requirements gathering, provisioning, VPN configuration, and testing
- Demonstrated ability to handle network incidents: identifying root cause, initiating rollback, and communicating clearly with stakeholders
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical peers and non-technical leadership, including presenting evidence-based recommendations and navigating disagreements professionally
- Experience managing difficult customer or internal stakeholder situations with a calm, solution-focused approach
Bonus skills- Experience with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Oracle FastConnect
- Familiarity with firewall-on-a-stick network architecture in production environments
- Knowledge of certificate pinning and strategies for handling it within a decryption policy
- Experience working as a resident or embedded engineer within a government or large enterprise environment
- Exposure to Cisco network devices and ability to provide escalation support across a multi-vendor environment
- Experience leading or coordinating infrastructure migration projects, including firewall policy migrations with minimal downtime
Welcome to ConsultNet, a premier national provider of technology talent and solutions. Our expertise spans across project services, contract-to-hire, direct search, and managed services onshore, nearshore, and hybrid. For over 25 years, we have connected thousands of consultants with meaningful roles through a personal, communication-driven approach, partnering with a diverse client base to build high-performing teams and create lasting impact. Our comprehensive service offerings cover a wide range of technology and engineering positions across key markets nationwide. Learn more at www.consultnet.com .
We champion equality and inclusivity, proudly supporting an Equal Opportunity Employer policy. We welcome applicants regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other status protected by law.