Job#: 3021022 Job Description: VM Palo Cloud Firewall Engineer
Location: Hybrid from Mclean, VA; Plano, TX or Richmond, VA
Contract: through end of the year
This VM Palo Cloud Firewall Engineer needs to have extensive experience designing, deploying, and maintaining virtual Palo Alto firewalls in cloud environments. This role is focused on cloud-native firewall architecture, not physical appliances, and requires hands-on expertise with Palo Alto VM-Series firewalls and AWS networking.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and support virtual Palo Alto VM-Series firewalls in AWS cloud environments.
- Architect and deploy Palo Alto firewall instances via EC2, including installation, configuration, and lifecycle management.
- Develop secure network designs that align with cloud-native patterns, traffic flows, and AWS best practices.
- Configure and optimize AWS networking, including VPC design, routing, subnets, transit gateways, security groups, and NACLs.
- Partner with application and cloud engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of firewall solutions into cloud workloads.
- Troubleshoot complex network traffic flows within AWS to ensure optimal performance and security.
- Create documentation, runbooks, and design diagrams supporting firewall and cloud network architecture.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on Palo Alto virtual firewall technology, beyond Panorama GUI-only operations.
Required Skills & Experience
- Expert-level experience with Palo Alto VM-Series firewalls, including design, deployment, and ongoing support.
- Strong proficiency deploying virtual firewalls within AWS EC2.
- Deep understanding of AWS networking and how traffic flows through cloud environments (VPCs, routing, IGWs, TGWs, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience configuring VPCs, subnets, policies, route tables, and related AWS network constructs.
- Ability to design and execute enterprise-scale cloud firewall architectures.
- Hands-on skills that extend beyond GUI administration (Panorama); must be capable of architecting and engineering solutions.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for cloud-based traffic flows and firewall behavior.
Preferred Qualifications
- Palo Alto certifications (PCNSE, PCNSA).
- AWS certifications (Solutions Architect, Advanced Networking).
Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.
Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.
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