Sr. Cybersecurity Engineer (Contractor)

Job Title: Senior Cybersecurity Engineer

Location: Columbus, OH (Hybrid – Onsite Tues/Wed; shifting to Tues–Thurs starting Sept)

Contract Type: W-2 Only (No C2C, No 1099)

Duration: until 12/31/2025 with extensions into 2026

Rate: $70 – $80/hr

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. – No visa sponsorships, OPT, F1, C2C, or 1099 arrangements

Position Overview

We are seeking a Sr. Cybersecurity Engineer (Contractor) to support enterprise-level security initiatives. This role focuses on securing web applications, automating firewall workflows, and implementing zero-trust network architecture using F5 Distributed Cloud WAF, Palo Alto Networks firewalls, and Python scripting.

Key Responsibilities

Configure and manage F5 Distributed Cloud WAF for enterprise and customer-facing applications

Administer Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including Panorama

Automate operations using Python for log parsing, config checks, and API integrations

Collaborate cross-functionally to secure cloud and on-premise infrastructure

Support incident response activities involving WAF and firewall telemetry

Contribute to architecture reviews and zero-trust implementations

Maintain documentation for security standards and automation tools

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required

5+ years of experience in cybersecurity or network security engineering

Hands-on experience with F5 Distributed Cloud WAF

Deep knowledge of Palo Alto firewalls and Panorama

Proficiency in Python scripting for automation

Strong understanding of network protocols, SSL decryption, and inspection

Experience with SIEM/log aggregation tools (e.g., Splunk, Cortex)

Excellent communication and documentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

Cloud security experience (Azure, AWS, GCP)

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools: Terraform, Ansible, etc.

DevSecOps / CI-CD security integration

Security certifications: PCNSE, F5 CA, GSEC, or equivalent