What does a firewall engineer do?
A firewall engineer is concerned about the safety and security of company websites from online attacks. A firewall is a safety measure to help protect the company's information infrastructure or business connected to the internet. The firewall engineer creates, develops, and maintains the company's online security and regularly checks websites for breaches, flaws in the code, and other technical things required to protect a company from outside internet attacks and hacking.
Firewall engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real firewall engineer resumes:
- Excele at managing major network-wide upgrades; improve speed and predictability of multicast and order-routing data.
- Involve in the modification and removal of BGP from the MPLS routers.
- Replace Cisco routers with ASA failover pair as a part of project to upgrade the private line to MPLS connection.
- Provide technical expertise and support of network devices and security peripherals including Cisco routers and switches.
- Experience configuring various networking protocols, specifically OSPF, BGP and EIGRP and troubleshooting issues with the network.
- Demonstrate experience with IPSEC VPN design connection and protocols, IPSEC tunnel configuration, encryption and integrity protocols.
- Investigate all ports and interfaces health issues for the routers and switches connectivity with customers agree speed, duplex and bandwidth.
- Experience writing Linux shell scripts.
- Implement TCP/IP and relate services like DHCP/DNS/WINS.
- Configure and troubleshooting of HSRP on Cisco routers.
- Perform packet captures on ASA and FWSM using CLI.
- Assemble computers, configure TCP/IP and connect to LAN.
- Configure static NAT, dynamic NAT, dynamic NAT overloading.
- Work on DNS server for maintaining database servers and IP addressing.
- Experience in configuring & troubleshooting dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP.
Firewall engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Firewall Engineers are proficient in Network Security, Cisco Asa, and Azure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Firewall Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Security, 11%
Provided Network Security support, security engineering and implementation on LAN/WAN for multiple enterprise customers, including second tier technical support.
- Cisco Asa, 7%
Convert Checkpoint VPN rules over to the Cisco ASA solution, Migration with both Checkpoint and Cisco ASA VPN.
- Azure, 6%
Design and implement virtual environments for customers using Microsoft Hyper-V, Server 2012R2 and Windows Azure - server modernization.
- ASA, 5%
Implemented Firewall rules on the following platforms: Cisco Pix, ASA and FWSM, Check Point-1, and Net Screen/Nokia.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Create policy base and route base VPN and troubleshoot existing configuration problem Analyze and identify miss-configuration for Net-Screen router/switches.
- Switches, 5%
Investigate all ports and interfaces health issues for the routers and switches connectivity with customers agreed speed, duplex and bandwidth.
Most firewall engineers use their skills in "network security," "cisco asa," and "azure" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential firewall engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a firewall engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a firewall engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "experience with setting up mpls layer 3 vpn cloud in data center and also working with bgp wan towards customer. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling firewall engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a firewall engineer resume, here's how firewall engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "implemented extended acls on juniper srx and 3750 to allow communication between the required networks, and to restrict other communications. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for firewall engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how firewall engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a firewall engineer: "experience in implementation of nat solutions on wan applications. ".
The three companies that hire the most firewall engineers are:
- MassMutual235 firewall engineers jobs
- Gulfstream Aerospace4 firewall engineers jobs
- Merkle4 firewall engineers jobs
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Firewall engineer vs. Network technician
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between firewall engineers and network technician. For instance, firewall engineer responsibilities require skills such as "azure," "asa," "windows," and "fortinet." Whereas a network technician is skilled in "customer service," "pc," "network infrastructure," and "vpn." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Network technicians really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $74,915. Comparatively, firewall engineers tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $109,885.The education levels that network technicians earn slightly differ from firewall engineers. In particular, network technicians are 10.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a firewall engineer. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Firewall engineer vs. System technician
A system technician is an individual responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members. They should carry out tests on the system so that they can generate error reports to identify and fix any computer system problems. System technicians also can write and maintain computer programs and work with computers and electronics, including circuit boards, computer hardware and software, and computer processors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real firewall engineer resumes. While firewall engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "network security," "cisco asa," "azure," and "asa," system technicians use skills like "customer service," "hand tools," "preventative maintenance," and "control systems."
System technicians earn a lower average salary than firewall engineers. But system technicians earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $58,665. Additionally, firewall engineers earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $109,885 annually.In general, system technicians achieve lower levels of education than firewall engineers. They're 13.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for firewall engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Firewall engineer vs. Administrator
Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a firewall engineer is likely to be skilled in "network security," "cisco asa," "azure," and "asa," while a typical administrator is skilled in "customer service," "data entry," "payroll," and "financial reports."
Administrators earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $78,798. Firewall engineers earn the highest pay from the start-up industry, with an average salary of $109,885.When it comes to education, administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to firewall engineers. In fact, they're 4.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Firewall engineer vs. Systems administrator
Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.
Types of firewall engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











