How to hire a network security engineer

How to hire a network security engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step network security engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a network security engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new network security engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a network security engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your network security engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a network security engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A network security engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, network security engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of network security engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Network Security Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Network Security Engineer	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$30-57
   Administrator	Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office... Show more	$22-54
   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... Show more	$28-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Network Security
   • Windows
   • Cisco Asa
   • Switches
   • Linux
   • Troubleshoot
   • Routers
   • Servers
   • TCP/IP
   • ASA
   • Intrusion Detection
   • SIEM
   • Network Infrastructure
   • IOS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Add and manage nodes in SolarWinds for monitoring purposes using SNMP v1/v2/v3.
   • Work with VMware NSX with deployment of greenfield environment and managing and troubleshooting issues with NSX.
   • Interact successfully with both program leads and DoD customer to ensure objectives are completed on time.
   • Experience in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix base operating systems.
   • Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
   • Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.

   More network security engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your network security engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A network security engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, network security engineers' average salary in arkansas is 39% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level network security engineers 47% less than senior-level network security engineers.
   • Certifications. A network security engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a network security engineer's salary.

   Average network security engineer salary

   $88,322yearly

   $42.46 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level network security engineer salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average network security engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$117,685	$57
   2	Washington	$95,111	$46
   3	Maryland	$91,726	$44
   4	District of Columbia	$91,112	$44
   5	New York	$90,533	$44
   6	New Jersey	$90,387	$43
   7	Arizona	$87,741	$42
   8	Massachusetts	$86,856	$42
   9	Pennsylvania	$86,677	$42
   10	Texas	$84,815	$41
   11	Illinois	$82,559	$40
   12	North Carolina	$81,782	$39
   13	Virginia	$81,215	$39
   14	New Hampshire	$80,482	$39
   15	Ohio	$80,384	$39
   16	Missouri	$78,711	$38
   17	Indiana	$77,162	$37
   18	Minnesota	$76,897	$37
   19	Colorado	$76,719	$37
   20	South Carolina	$76,178	$37

   Average network security engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The Knot	$146,646	$70.50
   2	Meta	$142,727	$68.62	771
   3	Apple	$139,260	$66.95	55
   4	PayPal	$132,776	$63.83	7
   5	Zendesk	$126,838	$60.98
   6	Netgear	$125,995	$60.57
   7	eBay	$125,102	$60.15	4
   8	Nordstrom	$122,086	$58.70
   9	Bloomberg	$121,530	$58.43	3
   10	Gap Inc.	$120,496	$57.93
   11	Palo Alto Networks	$118,697	$57.07	9
   12	First Republic Bank	$117,393	$56.44
   13	Populus Group	$116,956	$56.23
   14	Fitbit	$116,703	$56.11
   15	Microsoft	$116,649	$56.08	53
   16	LinkedIn	$116,545	$56.03	6
   17	Ernst & Young	$116,430	$55.98	61
   18	ICONMA	$113,918	$54.77
   19	Citi	$113,475	$54.56	10
   20	Autodesk	$112,448	$54.06	4

4. Writing a network security engineer job description

   A network security engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a network security engineer job description:

   Network security engineer job description example

   • Minimum 2 years IT relevant experience and network operations experience

   • Experience managing Routers, Firewalls, IDS/IPS configurations and policies

   • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

   • Possess the appropriate baseline certifications to achieve DoD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level II (CompTIA Security+ or higher)

   • An active SECRET DoD clearance

   Desired Skills and Experience:

   • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

   #GECOS

   Scheduled Weekly Hours:

   40

   Travel Required:

   Less than 10%

   Telecommuting Options:

   Onsite

   Work Location:

   USA VA Falls Church

   Additional Work Locations:

   COVID-19 Vaccination: GDIT does not have a vaccination mandate applicable to all employees. To protect the health and safety of its employees and to comply with customer requirements, however, GDIT may require employees in certain positions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination requirements will depend on the status of the federal contractor mandate and customer site requirements.We are GDIT. The people supporting some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence projects across the country. We deliver. Bringing the expertise needed to understand and advance critical missions. We transform. Shifting the ways clients invest in, integrate, and innovate technology solutions. We ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. We are there. On the ground, beside our clients, in the lab, and everywhere in between. Offering the technology transformations, strategy, and mission services needed to get the job done.GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find network security engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any network security engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level network security engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your network security engineer job on Zippia to find and attract quality network security engineer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit network security engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview network security engineer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new network security engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect network security engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new network security engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a network security engineer?