Lead Firewall Engineer

Position Description

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Lead Firewall Engineer to join our rapidly growing and innovative team!

The Lead Firewall Engineer will join a program providing Network and Cybersecurity services supporting an Intelligence Community customer. The team will work together to support transport and cybersecurity information technology (IT) services across multiple networks and security domains, at multiple locations worldwide, including new facilities and building construction to support the IC mission. 

Named one of the Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work every year since 2014, Valiant is proud of our employee-centric culture and commitment to excellence. If you are interested in learning more about Valiant and this opportunity, we invite you to apply now!

Location: Springfield, VA

Required Clearance: TS/SCI with the ability to obtain and maintain a CI Polygraph.

Required Education and Certifications:

• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Network Security, or a related field.
• S6DoD 8140.01 and DoD 8570.01-M IAT Level II compliant certification (current).
• Must be able to successfully obtain/maintain CSSP Infrastructure Support certification within 120 days.

Required Skills:

• 8+ years of related technical experience with network security technologies, tools, and techniques.
• 5+ years' experience with large-scale enterprise/global networks in a high-paced, diverse environment.
• Understanding and experience with the DoD Architecture Framework and other key DoD network architecture and strategic planning instructions.
• Demonstrated knowledge in planning, directing, and managing a Firewall / Boundary Security Team in an organization similar in size.
• Firewall experience within the DoW or IC.
• Demonstrated knowledge of implementation of Perimeter and Internal Firewalls (both physical and virtual contexts)
• Demonstrated advanced experience in managing baseline configurations across numerous firewalls.
• Demonstrated advanced experience in evaluating rules to ensure maximum security while minimizing redundancy and processing overhead.
• Demonstrated experience with researching and fielding new and innovative firewall technology.
• Experience with F5 platforms/technologies (APM, AFM, SSLO, etc.)
• Experience with Palo Alto platforms/technologies (Threat Prevention, Wildfire, URL Filtering, Global Protect)
• Experience with Juniper SRX platforms/technologies.
• Experience with Online Certificate Status Protocol OCSP revocation.
• Familiar with DoD PKI, Kerberos, LDAP, Active Directory, Authentication (SAML, OAuth)
• Ability to describe and troubleshoot TLS/SSL handshake/connection issues.
• Network design, engineering, and implementation (Advanced Level)
• Creation of network-related Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) equipment lists and costing, and Level of Effort (LOE) estimation for labor.
• Understanding of DoW, DISA, and IC standards and processes.
• Ability to work weekends and evening hours as needed.

Desired Skills: 

• Juniper JNCIS/JNCIP, Palo Alto PCNSE (or equivalent)
• F5 Network Certifications

Responsibilities: 

• Serves as the focal point for all firewall tasks, operations, and projects.
• Leads, directs, and manages daily operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance activities for the NSS Boundary work center.
• Designs, implements, and manages security solutions using F5, Juniper SRX, and Palo Alto to meet project requirements.
• Ensures systems, devices, and applications under your responsibility and span of control meet applicable STIG/SRG and organizational configuration baselines.
  • Leads regular compliance evaluations and audits.
  • Develops, oversees, maintains, and enforces configuration management processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other documentation as needed/required.
• Monitors platform performance, logs, software version(s), and configuration drift to identify and mitigate performance, compliance, and security issues. 
• Develops and maintains network architecture diagrams, inventories, and licensing status for capabilities within the team's scope. 
• Provides written reports and oral briefings to contract and government leadership.
• Coordinates with appropriate stakeholders to ensure task completion and overall customer satisfaction.
• Provides recommendations on newly submitted customer requests.
• Evaluates and reports on new/emerging network/communication technologies to enhance capacity, performance, and reliability of the network.
• Evaluates and recommends changes and/or technology upgrades to address performance, standardization, and industry best practices.
• Conducts performance assessments, mentors, and coaches personnel.

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions delivers cybersecurity and IT services to federal civilian, defense, and national security customers nationwide. We support the full cyber lifecycle, from secure system design and accreditation through AI-enabled operations, threat emulation, and continuous improvement, across classified and unclassified environments. Our work is independently certified for quality and security, including CMMI, CMMC, and ISO certifications.

Valiant is a multi-year Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work winner, and our growth and cyber leadership have been recognized by Washington Technology, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the Triangle Business Journal. We offer strong benefits, rewards for earning industry certifications, and room to grow your career as we grow. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, our distributed workforce supports customers from coast to coast. We go where the stakes are highest, and the margin for error is zero. If you want meaningful work alongside talented professionals, apply today.

Benefits Snapshot

Valiant takes care of the people who support our customers, with real choices in coverage and real investment in your career. Eligible full-time employees receive:

• A choice of medical plans, from an affordable HSA option to a full-featured PPO, with generous company contributions
• Dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Optional supplemental life, accident, and critical illness coverage to round out your protection
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off that grows with your years of service, plus paid federal holidays
• Paid certifications, professional development, and the Valiant University training portal
• Flexible spending accounts and a wellness and fitness program
• Referral bonuses when you help us bring great people to Valiant

Benefit eligibility and plan details are subject to the terms of each plan and may change from time to time.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $101,300 - $144,800. This range reflects Valiant Solutions' good-faith estimate of the base salary reasonably expected for this position upon hire, at the time of posting. The range has been established based on the scope of the role, market rates, and internal equity. Where a candidate falls within the posted range will depend on job-related factors, including relevant skills, experience, qualifications, achievements, education, geographic location, applicable security clearance requirements, additional corporate responsibilities, and other legitimate, non-discriminatory business considerations. The posted range does not guarantee an offer at any particular salary. In addition to base salary, this position includes the benefits described above. 

Remote Work Policy (Remote and Hybrid Positions Only)

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in our employees. To ensure that employee performance does not suffer in a remote work environment, all employees who telecommute are expected to have a quiet and distraction-free workspace with adequate internet, dedicate their full attention and availability to their job duties during working hours, and maintain a schedule during core business hours that aligns with those of their coworkers and Valiant's clients. In alignment with Valiant's inclusive and engaging environment, cameras are encouraged and can be required to be on during virtual video conferences. Additionally, in alignment with the Office of the Inspector General’s effort to eliminate conflicting employment, all Valiant employees are required to disclose any current or future outside employment engagements. During onboarding and throughout employment, employees must disclose any current activities or intent to engage in outside employment or other professional activities and obtain written approval.  Employees may not solicit or conduct any outside business during core business hours for Valiant Solutions and our clients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valiant Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Valiant Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected].

Physical Demands

Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods and consistently operating a computer. Frequent communication and exchanging of accurate information via electronic communication, phones, and in person. Occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Authorization to Share Resume and Personal Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you authorize Valiant Solutions to share your resume, as well as personal information included on the resume, with its subsidiaries, affiliates, and teaming partners for the purpose of considering you for this position and other available positions requiring comparable skills, education, and experience. Should Valiant Solutions or its affiliates and teaming partners wish to initiate pre-employment discussions, you will be asked to complete an employment application and related employment documents.

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