Lead Network Operations Engineer

Job#: 3032098

Job Description:
Lead Network Operations Engineer

Location: Wayne, PA or Charlotte, NC (Hybrid: Tuesday - Thursday onsite.)

Length: 6+ month Temp-to-Perm

Pay Range: $75 - $80/hour W2

Salary Range: $140k - $160k (Bonus potential, strong 401k program, Benefits, etc.)

Role Overview

This position serves as the Tier 3 operational owner for the organization's firewall and secure web gateway environment. The role focuses on Zscaler and Palo Alto support, acting as the highest technical escalation point within the global Network Operations Center. The ideal candidate will provide advanced troubleshooting and deep subject matter expertise to ensure the stability, scalability, and operational excellence of a complex, multi-vendor network infrastructure. This is an operational support role, not an architecture or design position.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the final escalation point for all high-severity incidents related to Palo Alto and Zscaler platforms.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during major incident calls involving senior leadership.
• Provide operational support for Zscaler ZIA, ZDX, ZCX, and Palo Alto firewalls.
• Perform deep-dive root cause analysis, producing detailed post-incident documentation and recommending long-term corrective actions.
• Resolve complex technical issues independently without reliance on engineering teams.
• Support lifecycle efforts such as code upgrades and platform maintenance.
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level NOC analysts on troubleshooting patterns for firewalls and Zscaler.
• Engage with vendors for escalated technical support cases and hardware escalations.

Required Qualifications

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise network operations or engineering supporting large-scale environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading major incidents under pressure with clear communication and technical command.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely with senior and executive leadership, particularly in high-pressure incident scenarios.

Technical Skills:

• Expert-level, hands-on troubleshooting experience with Zscaler (ZIA, ZDX, ZCX).
• Deep operational knowledge of Palo Alto firewalls and NGFW architecture.
• Proficiency with packet analysis tools such as Wireshark and netflow/sflow platforms.
• Extensive experience with network ecosystems including Cisco, Juniper, and F5.

Certifications:

• Cisco CCNP or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CCIE (Routing & Switching, Enterprise, or Data Center)
• PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer)
• JNCIP/JNCIE
• F5 Certified Administrator or Engineer
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty

Work Environment:

• This is a hybrid role requiring on-site presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• The position requires participation in a 24x7 Tier 3 on-call escalation rotation for major incidents.
• Candidates must be comfortable leading or actively participating in major incident calls.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth 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 ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth 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. Everforth 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, Everforth 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. Everforth 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 Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

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