Firewall Engineer

Leidos Holding • $92K — $166K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience; additional experience may compensate for the degree.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience with Cisco and Palo Alto Firewalls in engineering and operations.
  • Strong expertise in Palo Alto concepts including Panorama installation and HA configurations.
  • Experience in high operational tempo environments requiring Top Secret clearance.
  • Must possess an active DOD Top Secret security clearance, with eligibility for TS/SCI.
  • Willingness to take and maintain a CI/Polygraph certification.
  • 8570 IAT Level II Baseline Certification (e.g., CCNA Security, CySA+, Security+ CE).

Responsibilities

  • Identify and fix firewall misconfigurations, conflicting rules, and security gaps.
  • Provide Tier 3 support for network administration issues.
  • Ensure all hardware and software components are vendor supported.
  • Support mission-critical Continuity of Operations (COOP).
  • Conduct monthly firewall assessments and generate improvement reports.
  • Develop network device performance and traffic utilization reports.
  • Participate in After Action Reports (AARs) and strategy discussions.

Benefits

  • 100% onsite role in Arlington, VA with occasional travel in the Washington Metro Area.
  • Engagement in mission-critical projects with a significant impact on national security.
  • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge Palo Alto technologies within DISA's environment.
  • Gain experience in a high-stakes, fast-paced, and secure environment.
Full Job Description
The DISA IT Operation within Leidos' Digital Modernization Group is seeking a Firewall Engineer to support the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office (CESO) Task Order for the GIG Service Management - Operations II (GSM-O II) contract. This person should be a seasoned, self-motivated, professional with at least 10 years of hands-on engineering and testing experience in virtualized and cloud environments. A skilled engineer knowledgeable and experienced in developing and implementing Firewall/Networking Security Solutions.

With the CESO program, the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) is looking to transform the existing Secure Web Services (SWS) environment, used to provide secure information sharing to the community, into a more mature service offering to meet the DoD and IC community. As part of this task order, Leidos will manage the commercial cloud migration and fully automate the continuous development & continuous integration environment, fourth estate consolidation, professionalize services - ITIL/DevSecOps based processes, improve the customer experience 1st call resolution, and achieve development of a service catalog for Defense Working Capital Fund (DWCF) Model.

This position is 100% onsite in Arlington, VA with occasional/situational travel within the Washington Metro Area.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Identify and remediate misconfigurations, conflicting rules, security gaps, firewall and load balancer security issues, optimize rule-sets, and enhance the overall security posture and performance of Firewalls and Load Balancers
  • Provide Tier 3 support to members of the operations network administrations.
  • Maintain all HW and SW components at vendor supported levels.
  • Support mission-critical Continuity of Operations (COOP).
  • Conduct a minimum of two (2) assessment of firewall each month on CESO and customer devices and generate assessment reports and provide recommendations for improvements.
  • Support the creation of network device performance and traffic utilization monthly reports.
  • Develop and/or participate in After Action Reports (AARs)
  • Provide expert advice and direction regarding the management and operation of all Palo Alto devices in the DISA CESO enterprise architecture.
  • Interact with the customer point of contact to set objectives/goals based on Palo Alto Networks technologies and available technology roadmap for architecture and design discussions.
  • Evaluate current technologies and processes associated with DISA CESO to identify gaps.
  • Provide requirements and strategies for future cybersecurity operations.
  • Active participant in meetings with DISA CESO and mission partner working groups.
  • Adhere to applicable DOD STIGs, DISA applicable orders, and JSIG policy, guidelines, and regulations.


QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of directly relevant experience. Add'l experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
  • 5+ years of hands-on Cisco / Palo Alto Firewall experience in both engineering and Operations and maintenance roles.
  • Strong knowledge of Palo Alto concepts and best practices:
    • Panorama Installation
    • Panorama HA Config
    • Panorama Template and Template Stacks
    • Panorama Policy creation and push to group of Firewalls and Verify Push
    • Palo Alto Route configuration
    • Palo Alto IPSec Site to Site VPN Config and Troubleshooting
    • Palo Alto VM in AWS
    • Palo Alto IPS Configuration
    • Palo Alto Virtual Router / Systems
    • Palo Alto Firewall HA
  • Experience working in a high op-temp, Top Secret environment.
  • Candidate must possess an active DOD Top Secret level security clearance, and be eligible to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI
  • Candidate must be willing to take and maintain a CI/Poly
  • 8570 IAT Level II Baseline Certification (e.g. CCNA Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, Security+ CE, CND, SSCP)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experienced with DISA and DISA's support to mission partners

Original Posting:
September 22, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos Holding

Leidos Holding Careers

Joining Leidos Holding presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and technology. The company offers a plethora of job opportunities aimed at fostering professional growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Explore Career Opportunities

Leidos Holding is actively seeking skilled professionals who are passionate about leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and leadership in their fields. With a variety of open positions, Leidos Holding provides a platform for individuals to challenge themselves in a dynamic work environment.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At Leidos Holding, innovation is at the core of everything they do. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries. The company supports this drive for innovation through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs that are designed to enhance skills and foster leadership.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Leidos Holding is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is not only recognized but celebrated. With a culture that values and promotes diversity, Leidos Holding ensures that all team members have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career, Leidos Holding offers internship programs that provide a robust foundation in the industry. Internships are a great way to develop essential skills, gain valuable work experience, and build professional networks.

Benefits and Culture

Employees at Leidos Holding enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member is valued.

Join the Team

Leidos Holding is hiring! Explore job opportunities that match your skills and interests. Leidos Holding looks for driven, curious, and innovative individuals to join their team. Positions are available across various disciplines and experience levels.

Stay Connected

Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and company news from Leidos Holding. Subscribe to receive updates and be the first to know about new job opportunities, company developments, and more.

Prepare for Your Interview

To prepare for an interview at Leidos Holding, candidates should familiarize themselves with the company's missions and values, update their resumes, and be ready to discuss how their background and skills align with the position they are applying for.

Networking and Career Advancement

Leidos Holding encourages its employees to engage in networking within the company to discover new opportunities for career advancement. The leadership team at Leidos Holding is dedicated to supporting employees in their career paths with ample opportunities for networking and growth.

Explore Leidos Holding Jobs and Careers

Discover the exciting career opportunities at Leidos Holding today. With a commitment to employee growth, innovation, and diversity, Leidos Holding is the perfect place to advance your career. Check out the latest job listings and find your perfect fit at Leidos Holding.

SEARCH LEIDOS HOLDING JOBS

READ CAREERS BLOG

Job Alert Emails

Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences from Leidos Holding. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await in your professional journey.
Learn more about Leidos Holding

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Leidos Holding

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Firewall Engineer jobs: