Palo Alto Engineer
A Palo Alto Engineer provides support, evaluation, and research into the deployed Palo Alto Networks equipment’s processes and problems. The technician will assume responsibility as the subject matter expert (SME) of the Palo Alto Networks products, such as firewalls, IPS/IDS, and VPN, among others.
The engineer is responsible for deploying, designing, configuring, maintaining, and fixing most of the network security implementations of Palo Alto Networks. This individual must be ready to work flexible hours and be able to lift equipment of up to 60 lbs, besides moving, racking and installing them.
Engineers need to be excellent communicators (written and verbal) and team players. They prioritize, adhere to timelines, and manage projects. Engineers must be ready to work flexible hours and need to adjust to changing environments. They must have adept customer-service skills.
They should possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills because their job mandates them to help detect, communicate, and fix issues so that the availability and performance of the investments in IT networks are optimal. Engineers need to be technically very proficient and driven to administer and support network and security infrastructure.
They must be prepared for physical work which would involve lifting and carrying quite heavy items, including computer systems and their peripherals.
Engineers need to be skillful in operating computer components. They would, at times, need to work within the confines of a computer data center and be able to put up with the noise and temperature there.
Job Description
Palo Alto Engineers install, configure, manage, and fix Palo Alto Firewalls. They maintain and manage border security systems, such as intrusion detection systems and firewalls. They support, monitor, and take care of existing configuration changes for Palo Alto Networks. The technicians are conversant with procedures, such as change management, automation, and revision control. They need to configure and deploy security operating platform and maintain it.
They aid in fixing network security issues of clients, suggest recommendations after researching best industry practices, creating documents for its configuration and installation. Engineers are also responsible for installing and maintaining Palo Alto firewall technologies. Freelance Palo Alto Network Engineers must know MPLS, VRF, VPN, and network routing. They should possess expertise in TCP/IP. Engineers must have had experience in working with Internet technologies.
Engineers manage wireless and LAN networks, including switches, routers, and other related equipment. They identify and troubleshoot complex network problems affecting LAN, WAN, Internet connections, and issues of end users issues.
Engineers suggest, schedule, and conduct hardware and software enhancements, upgrades, reconfigurations, and patches. They coordinate with engineering and business units to deploy implement server systems that use best practices to meet the objectives of their organization/clients.
Engineers research network services, products, protocols, and requirements to remain up-to-date with advances in the networking industry. They create and maintain documentation of network procedures, configurations, cabling layouts, and standards.
Engineers oversee and test network capacity and performance and make ready and provide statistics and reports of network performance. They plan and deploy network upgrades, fixes for maintenance, and patches.
Also, they must carry out security measures to sort out data loss susceptibilities, minimize risk, suggest system components and security changes when needed, undertake security audits, assessments and detect security breaches in architecture, and suggest recommendations on IT security to management by identifying serious threats and susceptibilities.
Engineers must see that ensure the network systems that support functions of the enterprise technology are available, reliable, and efficiently operating. In order to achieve that, they monitor, support, and maximize the network infrastructure of the organization/clients. Included in network support would be assignments, beginning from testing and resolving issues to periodic maintenance.
Engineers need to interact regularly with their team members, clients, sales teams, and engineering teams. They must be able to comprehend the client’s ecosystem, needs, and security roadmap to deploy the relevant security solution.
They perform all their tasks in line with their organization’s/clients’ policies, procedures, and best practices.
Prospects for Palo Alto Engineers
Job opportunities for network engineers are expected to increase six percent in the period 2016-2026, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The government agency adds that demand for them will grow as enterprises are on an expansion spree of their information technology (IT) networks.
Educational Qualifications and Other Requirements
Palo Alto Engineers must have a bachelor’s or an associate degree in computer science, engineering or related field or an equivalent in training and reasonable experience. Certification in Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Engineer (PCNSE) certification is a big plus.
Engineers need to have extensive knowledge of both LAN/WAN designs and the support processes encompassing huge network deployments. They should be well-versed with network basics, such as TCP/IP, the OSI model, and IPv6. They should have proficiency in network configuration and security rules.
They should be conversant with network routing, VPN, MPLS, and VRF.
Salary
The average salary of a Palo Alto Engineer is $89,179 per year in the United States, according to glassdoor.
How Field Engineer Can Help you
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