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:

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

Must-Have Technical:

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

Nice-to-Have:

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