Sr Network Security EngineerContract Length: 10 months with the possibility of extending based on project need.Candidate currently residing in Richmond, VA area is required.Hybrid RoleThe client is seeking an experienced Sr Network Security Engineer (Sr NSE) to implement and support the agency's IT network, cloud, and computing infrastructure. The Sr NSE performs day-to-day activities related to securing client's infrastructure.The Sr NSE performs day-to-day activities related to securing, documenting, performing research, analysis, design, and implementation of client's network and computing related infrastructure.The Sr NSE will support a hybrid enterprise environment consisting of approximately 300 statewide locations, Palo Alto firewalls, Azure networking, ExpressRoute connectivity, WAF technologies, Splunk SIEM, SD-WAN, and mission-critical public-facing applications. The role partners closely with Infrastructure, Cloud Engineering, and the Information Security Office to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of client's network infrastructure.Key Responsibilities:Ensures network security architecture aligns with operational security standards prior to and after deployment.Lead investigation and containment of network security incidents.Review firewall rule requests and ensure compliance with security standards.Design and maintain secure hybrid network architecture across on-premises and Azure environments.Monitor security events using SIEM technologies and coordinate incident response activities.Perform network security assessments and recommend remediation strategies.Develop and maintain network security standards, diagrams, and operational documentation.Support penetration testing and remediation efforts.Participate in on-call support during critical security incidents.Responsible for conducting proactive threat hunting and anomaly detection.Validates WAF and firewall placement and integration exposure/connectivity. Also leads implementation, review, and management of agency WAF(s).Identifies and diagnoses system problems and threats by using system logs, line monitors, SIEM, diagnostic software, and test equipment.Identifies, prioritizes, and remediates network security vulnerabilities.Must have the ability to provide documentation, network architecture topology diagrams, IP schemes, firewall rules, and access controls when required.Must have the ability to work independently on assigned projects.Required/Desired SkillsEnterprise Networking. Required, 8 YearsEnterprise Security. Required, 5 YearsAzure Networking. Required, 3 YearsWAF/NGFW. Required, 3 YearsSupporting environments with 300+ Network Devices. Desired, 3 YearsCandidate must have experience in the following areas: Incident response, Security investigations, Log analysis, Threat intelligence, Security monitor. RequiredCandidate must have experience with the SIEM products (e.g. Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel). RequiredCandidate must have experience in vulnerability management and remediation tracking as well as vulnerability scanning tools (e.g. Nessus, Tenable, Def. RequiredCandidate must have experience in the following areas: Active Directory, MFA, Conditional Access, Certificates. RequiredCandidate must have experience with the following: SEC530, CIS Benchmarks, NIST CSF, NIST 800-53, Zero Trust principles. RequiredCandidate must have experience with the following: Cisco ISE, NAC, 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS. RequiredCandidate must have experience with the following products: Palo Alto, F5 Distributed Cloud, Azure WAF, Cisco VPN, Global Protect, F5 BIG-IP. RequiredCandidate must have experience working in highly regulated environments and leading technical troubleshooting during outages. RequiredCandidate must have ability to communicate technical issues to technical and executive audiences and an ability to mentor junior engineers. RequiredCandidate should have achieved or ability to achieve the following certifications: Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500), Azure Network Engineer (AZ-700). Required