VMware NSX Security Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced VMware NSX Security Engineer / Administrator responsible for the architecture, deployment, configuration, and day-to-day administration of network virtualization and security policies within a VMware environment.

The role bridges traditional networking, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, with a primary focus on establishing a zero-trust network posture through advanced logical routing, distributed firewalls, and micro-segmentation across hybrid cloud workloads.

Location: Spring, TX - Day 1 Onsite
Duration: 6-12 Months Contract

Key Responsibilities

Security Architecture & Micro-Segmentation

• Design and enforce granular Distributed Firewall (DFW) and Gateway Firewall rules.
• Implement micro-segmentation to isolate virtual machines and applications.
• Prevent lateral or east-west threat propagation across workloads.
• Support zero-trust security architecture and policies.

Network Virtualization Management

• Deploy and manage logical switching within VMware NSX.
• Configure and administer Tier-0 and Tier-1 routing.
• Manage distributed load balancing and VPN services.
• Troubleshoot network virtualization across hybrid environments.

Lifecycle Management

• Perform maintenance, scaling, upgrades, patches, and configuration management.
• Administer NSX Managers, Edge Nodes, and Transport Nodes.
• Ensure platform stability, availability, and disaster recovery readiness.

Infrastructure Automation

• Develop and maintain Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions.
• Create automation scripts to streamline security rule deployment.
• Automate configuration and operational processes using PowerShell/PowerCLI, Python, Terraform, or NSX REST APIs.

Monitoring & Log Analysis

• Monitor infrastructure health, capacity, and security events.
• Utilize VMware Aria Operations, Network Insight, or equivalent monitoring platforms.
• Integrate and analyze security events through SIEM platforms such as Splunk.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with systems engineers, network administrators, and Security Operations Center (SOC) teams.
• Troubleshoot physical-to-virtual network connectivity and overlay issues.
• Support integration between networking, infrastructure, and security environments.

Incident Response Support

• Assist security teams during network and security incidents.
• Perform deep-packet inspection and network flow tracing.
• Apply emergency isolation and firewall rules during active security events.

Required Technical Skills

VMware Ecosystem

• Deep hands-on experience with:
  
  • VMware vSphere
  • VMware ESXi
  • VMware vCenter
  • VMware NSX-T / NSX architecture

Networking

• Expert knowledge of:
  
  • BGP
  • OSPF
  • Geneve / VXLAN overlay encapsulation
  • VLANs
  • TCP/IP

Firewall & Security

• Strong understanding of:
  
  • Layer 4-7 firewall rules
  • Distributed Firewall (DFW)
  • Gateway Firewall
  • IDS/IPS
  • Network micro-segmentation
  • Zero-trust security concepts

Automation & Scripting

• Proficiency with one or more of:
  
  • PowerShell / PowerCLI
  • Python
  • Terraform
  • NSX REST APIs

Third-Party & Cloud Integration

• Experience integrating NSX with physical next-generation firewalls such as:
  
  • Palo Alto Networks
  • Check Point
• Familiarity with cloud networking environments such as AWS and Azure.

Preferred Certifications

• VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)
• VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Network Virtualization (VCAP-NV Design or Deploy)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Required Qualifications

• Deep hands-on experience with VMware vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, and VMware NSX-T/NSX architecture.
• Expert-level knowledge of BGP, OSPF, Geneve/VXLAN overlay encapsulation, VLANs, and TCP/IP.
• Strong experience with NSX Distributed Firewall (DFW), Gateway Firewall, micro-segmentation, and zero-trust security concepts.
• Hands-on experience with logical switching, Tier-0/Tier-1 routing, distributed load balancing, and VPNs within VMware NSX.
• Experience managing the NSX lifecycle, including NSX Managers, Edge Nodes, Transport Nodes, upgrades, patches, scaling, and configuration.
• Proficiency with PowerShell/PowerCLI, Python, Terraform, or NSX REST APIs for automation and infrastructure-as-code.
• Experience with Layer 4-7 firewall rules, IDS/IPS, and network security policies.
• Experience monitoring VMware infrastructure and security events using VMware Aria Operations, Network Insight, Splunk, or similar tools.
• Experience troubleshooting physical-to-virtual network overlays and collaborating with networking, systems, and SOC teams.
• Familiarity with integrating NSX with next-generation firewalls such as Palo Alto Networks or Check Point and/or cloud networking platforms such as AWS and Azure.
• Ability to work onsite from Day 1 in Spring, TX.