Associate Network Security Engineer

Associate Network Security Engineer

Cary, NC Hybrid

Our client is seeking an Associate Cybersecurity Engineer for a 12-month contract, with potential for permanent conversion, to support the Information Security organization. This role focuses on monitoring network security activities and operating and optimizing security infrastructure. The engineer will drive policy, rule, and architecture improvements to prevent and remediate incidents, perform security configuration changes, and collaborate with IT and business stakeholders on triage. The position emphasizes enterprise firewalls, SASE and ZTNA, identity and access management, Microsoft security tooling, and process development aligned to best practices and regulatory requirements.

Rate : $42.00 - $48.00 per hour W2

Responsibilities:

• Monitor network security activities and maintain oversight of security infrastructure.
• Implement, monitor, and manage enterprise firewall solutions, including NGFW, to enforce network security policies.
• Operate and configure SASE capabilities including secure web gateways, ZTNA, and CASB.
• Execute security configuration changes and support incident prevention and remediation through policy, rule, and architecture optimization.
• Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders on security triage and operational support.
• Leverage Microsoft Security Suite such as Defender for Endpoint, Sentinel, and Entra/Azure AD across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Develop and refine procedures, policies, and processes aligned with best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Recommend remediation measures to improve security posture and reduce risk.
• Communicate security concepts to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience Requirements:

• 3+ years in cloud or network security engineering, security operations, insider risk management, or security event management.
• Hands-on experience with identity, firewall, cloud, and SIEM tools such as Microsoft Azure, Okta, Duo, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Zscaler, Windows Defender, OCI, and Sentinel.
• Ability to convey complex information risk and security issues in an actionable manner.
• Demonstrated judgment, urgency, ethical standards, regulatory awareness, customer service, and business integrity.
• Preferred proficiency with automation or scripting such as Ansible, Python, KQL, or PowerShell.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with network, cloud, infrastructure, and application teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to accommodate approximately 5% travel.

Recruitment Transparency Notice

Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team ( , ) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group's use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.
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About Eliassen Group:

Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients' capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.

Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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