Jr. Firewall Analyst (Hybrid in Charlotte, NC)

Optomi, in partnership with a leading energy and utilities organization, is seeking a Jr. Firewall Analyst to support network security operations in the Charlotte, NC region. This is a 12-month contract, renewed annually, with a hybrid schedule of about 3 days per week on site. It’s a strong entry point for a hands-on network professional who wants to grow into firewall administration and cybersecurity.

Core Responsibilities:

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• Receive, review, process, and implement firewall change requests in line with established change management procedures
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• Plan and schedule maintenance windows, then perform annual firewall code upgrades across network security devices
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• Troubleshoot firewall and connectivity issues and escalate to senior engineers when needed
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• Document changes, configurations, and procedures accurately
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• Work with network, security, and application teams to keep changes on schedule with minimal disruption
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• Learn the environment during onboarding and take on more firewall administration over time
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Must-Have Technical:

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• Hands-on network experience (required)
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• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, NAT)
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• Experience with Cisco networking equipment
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• Associate degree or higher in a technical field, or equivalent certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA
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• Strong communication skills and attention to detail
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• Eagerness to learn firewall technologies and build a career in cybersecurity
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Nice-to-Have:

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• Palo Alto firewall experience
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• Cisco certification beyond CCNA
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• Telecommunications background
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• Experience with change management or ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow)
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• Prior experience performing device upgrades or patching in a maintenance window
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