Network Engineering Lead (Cisco Palo Alto)

Network Engineering Lead (Cisco / Palo Alto)

Location: Phoenix AZ 85034 - 100% Onsite (driving position metro-area field sites mileage reimbursed)

Job Type: Contract (W2 or 1099)

Duration: July 2026 December 2026 (potential extension)

Pay Rate: $85$93/hr W2 depending on experience (1099 option available)

Schedule: MondayFriday 7:00 AM 4:00 PM plus participation in 24/7 on-call standby rotation

About the Role:

Responsibilities:

• Design implement and manage Cisco Catalyst Cisco Nexus and Palo Alto Networks infrastructure (routers switches firewalls)
  
• Troubleshoot complex network issues ensuring high availability of critical operations
  
• Perform configurations upgrades and patch management; monitor performance and run proactive health checks
  
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineers
  
• Coordinate copper/fiber premise cabling equipment installation and access control/CCTV needs at field sites
  
• Maintain network architecture documentation and support capacity planning and budget input
  
• Collaborate with internal departments vendors and stakeholders with strong customer service
  

Required Qualifications:

• 5 years of recent experience in planning design and maintenance of a large network
  
• Strong hands-on experience configuring/managing/troubleshooting Cisco IOS Cisco Nexus and Palo Alto NGFW with Panorama
  
• Routing protocols: BGP OSPF EIGRP; point-to-point VPNs IPsec NAT QoS
  
• Experience supervising a small team and supporting 24/7 critical operations (public safety environment preferred)
  
• Familiarity with Splunk ServiceNow Jira and SolarWinds Orion
  
• CCNP Palo Alto Networks NGFW Engineer or similar certification
  
• Must be currently local to the Phoenix metro area available for an in-person interview within one week and able to start within two weeks of offer
  
• Valid drivers license required