ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Network Security Engineer Jobs in Columbus, OH (NOW HIRING)

InterSources Inc

Lead Security Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

They are seeking a Lead Security Engineer who will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing advanced network security systems, particularly with Cisco Firepower firewalls, while ...

Battelle

Sr. Network Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

The Senior Network Engineer serves as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex ... Support integration of network security and access controls with enterprise identity ...

Fiserv, Inc.

Data Security Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

Job Title Data Security Engineer About your role: As a Data Security Engineer, you design ... Eight Employee Resource Groups to foster a collaborative culture and expand your network.

Monitise

Data Security Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

Job Title Data Security Engineer About your role: As a Data Security Engineer, you design ... Eight Employee Resource Groups to foster a collaborative culture and expand your network.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsNetwork Security Engineer JobsNetwork Security Engineer Jobs in Columbus, OH

Network Security Engineer information

See Columbus, OH salary details

$19.6K

$116.7K

$156K

How much do network security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for network security engineer in Columbus, OH is $116,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,600.00 and $133,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a network security engineer?

Network Security Engineers are IT professionals responsible for protecting an organization's computer networks from security threats and unauthorized access. They design, implement, and maintain security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols. Their role involves monitoring network traffic, responding to security incidents, and ensuring compliance with security policies and regulations. Network Security Engineers also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and work to keep systems up to date against evolving cyber threats.

What does a network security engineer do?

As a network security engineer, your job duties include configuring routers, switches, firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), and other network monitoring tools against intrusions. You need technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills to carry out your network security tasks. Your job is to ensure that your company’s internal networks are protected from potential online threats, like hackers and malware that can steal or corrupt sensitive data from websites, computer programs, databases, and servers. You need to remain current with new developments in the field to master fast-evolving network security technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a network security engineer?

To thrive as a Network Security Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, firewall management, vulnerability assessment, and typically a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with security tools like IDS/IPS, SIEM systems, and certifications such as CISSP or CompTIA Security+ are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help distinguish top professionals in this role. These skills are crucial for safeguarding organizational data, identifying security threats, and ensuring robust network protection.

What are some common challenges faced by network security engineers in maintaining secure and efficient networks?

Network Security Engineers often encounter challenges such as staying ahead of rapidly evolving cyber threats, ensuring minimal downtime during security upgrades, and balancing strong security measures with network performance. Additionally, they must work closely with IT teams and end-users to implement security policies without disrupting daily operations. Keeping up with compliance standards and effectively communicating risks and solutions to non-technical stakeholders are also important aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Network Security Engineer vs Security Analyst?

AspectNetwork Security EngineerSecurity Analyst
CertificationsCCNA, CISSP, CompTIA Security+CISSP, GIAC Security Essentials, CompTIA Security+
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining security infrastructureMonitoring, analyzing, and responding to security incidents
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments, cybersecurity firms, large enterprisesCorporate security teams, government agencies, financial institutions

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, Network Security Engineers primarily design and implement security systems, whereas Security Analysts monitor and respond to security threats. They often work together to ensure comprehensive protection of organizational networks.

Are network security engineers in demand?

Network security engineers are in high demand due to increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for organizations to protect their digital assets. The role requires skills in firewalls, intrusion detection, and security protocols, and often benefits from certifications like CISSP or CEH. Job growth in this field is expected to remain strong as cybersecurity remains a top priority for businesses worldwide.
More about Network Security Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Network Security Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH?

For Network Security Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Network Security Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH look for?

The top searched job categories for Network Security Engineer jobs in Columbus, OH are:

What cities near Columbus, OH are hiring for Network Security Engineer jobs?

Cities near Columbus, OH with the most Network Security Engineer job openings:

Network Security Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Network Security Engineer job openings in Columbus, OH as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,745 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Senior Security Engineer - Web Application & Network Protection (C2H)

Blue Star Partners LLC

Columbus, OH • Hybrid

$70 - $79/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior Security Engineer – Web Application & Network Protection (Contract to Hire)
Location: Columbus, OH (Local Candidates only)
Rate: $70–$79/hour
Work Model: Hybrid (Onsite Tuesday–Thursday, Remote Monday & Friday)
Contract Length: July 27, 2026 – July 26, 2027
Extension / Conversion: Contract-to-Hire
Employment Type: W-2 Only
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens Only | Green Card holders also eligible; no visa sponsorship available

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Security Engineer – Web Application & Network Protection to lead the design, implementation, and support of enterprise web application and network security solutions. This role is responsible for protecting internet-facing applications and critical enterprise services through a combination of web application firewall (WAF) technologies, API security, bot protection, DDoS mitigation, and network security controls.

The ideal candidate brings a strong mix of application security, network security, cloud security, and automation experience, with hands-on expertise supporting technologies such as F5 Distributed Cloud WAF, Palo Alto Networks firewalls, and secure remote access platforms. This individual will partner across security, infrastructure, networking, cloud, and application teams to strengthen enterprise defenses, improve operational efficiency, and support secure onboarding of business-critical applications.

This is a strong fit for a cybersecurity engineer who is equally comfortable with security architecture, operational support, incident response, automation, and stakeholder collaboration in a modern enterprise environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesWeb Application Security
  • Administer and support the F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) WAF platform.
  • Deploy, configure, and maintain WAF policies, signatures, and security controls for internet-facing applications.
  • Configure and optimize protections related to:
    • API Protection
    • Bot Defense / Bot Management
    • DDoS Mitigation
    • Geolocation Policies
    • Rate Limiting
    • CAPTCHA Challenges
  • Investigate and tune false positives to balance protection with business usability.
  • Perform application onboarding into WAF services and support secure rollout of web-facing applications.
  • Conduct policy reviews and continuous optimization of WAF protections.
  • Support investigation and response activities related to web application attacks and anomalous traffic.
Application Security
  • Apply strong understanding of common web and API threats, including:
    • OWASP Top 10
    • Authentication attacks
    • API abuse
    • Credential stuffing
    • Session hijacking
    • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
    • SQL Injection
    • SSRF
    • CSRF
  • Review application architectures and recommend improvements to strengthen security posture.
  • Partner with development and engineering teams during application onboarding, remediation, and troubleshooting.
  • Help ensure secure design considerations are integrated into enterprise application delivery and support processes.
Network Security
  • Administer and support key network security technologies, including:
    • Palo Alto Networks NGFW
    • Prisma Access
    • Site-to-site VPNs
    • SSL decryption
    • NAT and security policies
    • Network segmentation
  • Support DNS and routing troubleshooting related to protected applications and network flows.
  • Assist with production security incidents and operational support activities.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation as needed to support enterprise services and incident response.
Cloud, Automation & DevSecOps
  • Develop and maintain automation solutions using:
    • Python
    • REST APIs
    • Terraform
    • Git
  • Automate repetitive operational tasks to improve consistency, scalability, and efficiency.
  • Build dashboards, reporting, and visibility tools to help monitor security posture and operational performance.
  • Support DevSecOps and CI/CD practices by partnering with engineering teams to embed security into deployment pipelines and operational processes.
  • Contribute to secure infrastructure and application delivery practices across cloud and containerized environments.
Security Operations & Continuous Improvement
  • Participate in:
    • Incident response
    • Threat hunting
    • Security assessments
    • Vulnerability remediation
    • Root cause analysis
    • Architecture reviews
  • Support identification and remediation of vulnerabilities affecting web applications, APIs, and network security infrastructure.
  • Contribute to ongoing enhancement of detection, prevention, and response capabilities.
  • Provide recommendations to improve operational security controls, reduce risk, and strengthen enterprise resilience.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
  • Administer and tune WAF, API security, bot protection, and DDoS controls for enterprise applications.
  • Onboard applications into F5 Distributed Cloud WAF and coordinate with application teams on requirements and troubleshooting.
  • Review alerts, investigate suspicious activity, and respond to web application or network security incidents.
  • Manage Palo Alto firewall policies, Prisma Access configurations, VPNs, and related network security controls.
  • Support false positive analysis and policy optimization across application security tools.
  • Develop scripts and automation to improve security operations and reduce manual effort.
  • Collaborate with developers, infrastructure engineers, network teams, and security stakeholders to improve protections and resolve issues.
  • Participate in architecture reviews, security assessments, and remediation planning.
Required Qualifications
  • 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, with strong focus on web application security, network security, or cloud security.
  • Hands-on experience administering and supporting web application firewall (WAF) technologies in an enterprise environment.
  • Experience with F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) WAF or comparable advanced WAF platforms.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Web application attacks
    • API security threats
    • Bot mitigation
    • DDoS protection
    • Authentication and session-related attack patterns
  • Experience supporting Palo Alto Networks security technologies, including NGFW and/or Prisma Access.
  • Experience with network security concepts such as VPNs, SSL decryption, NAT, segmentation, DNS, and routing troubleshooting.
  • Experience with automation and scripting using Python, REST APIs, Terraform, and Git.
  • Familiarity with DevSecOps and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Strong incident response, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work across infrastructure, cloud, networking, development, and security teams in a collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with:
    • Bot Management
    • API Security
    • DDoS Protection
    • CDN technologies
    • Kubernetes
    • Containers
    • Terraform
    • DevSecOps
    • CI/CD pipelines
  • Experience building security dashboards, posture reporting, or automation tooling.
  • Familiarity with secure cloud-native application delivery and modern edge security architectures.
  • Experience in regulated, utility, or large enterprise environments is a plus.
Preferred Certifications
  • OWASP Foundation certifications
  • ISC2 CISSP
  • GIAC certifications
  • F5 certifications
  • Palo Alto Networks certifications
Core Competencies
  • Web Application Security
  • WAF Administration
  • API Security
  • Bot Management
  • DDoS Mitigation
  • Network Security
  • Palo Alto Networks
  • Prisma Access
  • Cloud Security
  • DevSecOps
  • Security Automation
  • Incident Response
Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on senior cybersecurity engineer with strong expertise in securing internet-facing applications and enterprise network environments. They are comfortable working across WAF platforms, firewalls, APIs, automation, and cloud-connected services, and they know how to balance operational support with strategic improvements to security posture. This person is proactive, technically deep, and effective at partnering across teams to protect critical enterprise services.

Additional Notes
  • This is a contract-to-hire opportunity.
  • The role requires a hybrid onsite schedule in Columbus, OH.
  • Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States now and in the future without sponsorship.