Cybersecurity Architect

Description:
On-site in Orange, CA

Our client has an opportunity for a Cybersecurity Architect supporting the Orange County Sheriff's Department in Santa Ana, CA. The role provides technical leadership to design, develop, and implement enterprise security architecture, protect assets and data, and ensure compliance with CJIS. The scope includes Palo Alto firewalls and services, VPN and wireless security, DNS security, SIEM design and tuning, and incident response lifecycle leadership. The role is 100% on-site within a CJIS-compliant environment and requires the ability to pass a law enforcement background check.

This is a contract to hire opportunity. Applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis and convert to FTE following contract duration. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $85.00 to $90.00/hr. w2

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain Palo Alto NGFWs, Panorama, and security services including WildFire, Threat Prevention, URL Filtering, and Anti-Virus.
• Develop and enforce security policies, rule sets, and zone segmentation aligned to Zero Trust.
• Serve as top-tier SME for Palo Alto engineering, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Architect and optimize secure remote access using GlobalProtect or similar, enforcing least privilege and MFA.
• Develop and enforce corporate and guest wireless security, including segmentation and secure authentication and encryption.
• Design and implement secure DNS architecture using DNSSEC or private DNS services.
• Lead SIEM design and tuning, device log integration, and creation of correlation rules, alerts, dashboards, and reporting.
• Develop, maintain, and test Incident Response plans and playbooks; lead incidents across the full lifecycle and conduct post-incident reviews.
• Ensure compliance with CJIS and maintain security standards, control baselines, and reference architectures.
• Conduct regular security assessments and define remediation strategies.

Experience Requirements:

• Professional experience providing technical leadership in a SOC or similar cyber services organization.
• Strong understanding of Palo Alto Networks architecture and technologies, including firewalls and intrusion prevention.
• Experience with network security design, deployment, and maintenance.
• Experience troubleshooting security issues and providing user support.
• Project management capability and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, under pressure, meet deadlines, work overtime, and work flexible hours including weekends and overnight.
• Experience identifying security risks, developing mitigation plans, and implementing security tools and services.
• Experience developing and interpreting security policies and procedures and participating in compliance efforts.
• Experience delivering security training and evaluating emerging security technologies.
• Background in security engineering, system and network security, authentication and security protocols, cryptography, and application security, including vulnerability testing and auditing.

Education Requirements:

• BS in Cybersecurity or related technical field with 7+ years of relevant experience, or
• MS in Cybersecurity or related technical field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or
• PhD in Cybersecurity or related technical field with 4+ years of industry experience.
• Required certification: CISSP or GREM or similar.
• Must pass OCSD and SAIC background checks; polygraph may be required.

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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When you work with Eliassen Group, all email communication will come from an Eliassen.com address, never Gmail, Yahoo, etc.

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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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