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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead IT Network Security Engineer - **Company:** CenterPoint Energy - **Location:** Houston, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Firewall, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing Security, Complex Networks, Cyber Security, DevOps, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Security, Network Architecture, Network Segmentation, Network Protocols, Remote Access Technology, Zero Trust Network Access, Web Application Security, Software Vulnerability Management, Web Applications, Software Security, Firewalls (Computer Science), Information Technology, Cybercrime, Vulnerability Analysis - **Published:** November 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/career/18825711/Lead-It-Network-Security-Engineer-Texas-Houston ## About the Role Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. Experience * A Minimum of 5 years experience in Cybersecurity or IT * Hands-on experience with Next Gen Firewalls and Web Application Firewalls. * Hands-on experience with network, OS, and application security * Experience tuning WAF rulesets, managing false positives, and maintaining policy hygiene. * Experience with Azure and GCP cloud apps and services * Experience with Zero Trust, SASE, network segmentation, DLP, and cloud security architectures. * Experience supporting highly available, business-critical, or customer-facing applications and network security services * Experience collaborating cross-functionally with DevOps, IT, and Network Security teams. * Familiarity with change management processes and maintaining configuration documentation. * Experience implementing Zero Trust or similar modern security models. * Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of networking protocols and cybersecurity frameworks. * Understanding of all aspects of Information Technology and its impact on the security of network environments. * CISSP or other relevant security certifications (Next Gen Firewall, Web Application Firewall, Cloud Security) highly preferred * Knowledge of SOX, HIPAA and NERC regulations preferred ## Description We are seeking an experienced Network Security Engineer to provide technical and team leadership and help strengthen the security of CNP's network infrastructure and web applications. This role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting security controls that protect the organization from cyber threats, application attacks, and bot abuse. The engineer will provide expertise across evolving network and web application security technologies, develop and troubleshoot security policies, and help ensure solutions align with organizational security standards and requirements. The position requires close collaboration with Network, Security Architecture, DevOps, and other technology teams to translate requirements into secure, supportable solutions. Essential Functions * Provide technical leadership and subject-matter expertise for network security and web application security across CNP environments. * Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot security controls protecting network infrastructure, applications, and internet-facing services. * Develop and maintain firewall, WAF, threat prevention, URL filtering, remote access, and application security policies. * Protect web applications from common application-layer threats, automated attacks, malicious bots, and abuse. * Manage and support enterprise security technologies such as Next Gen firewalls, Prisma Client VPNs, and Web Application Firewall (WAF), where applicable to the role. * Analyze security events, alerts, and traffic patterns to identify threats, vulnerabilities, policy issues, and opportunities to strengthen controls. * Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex network and application security incidents and service-impacting issues. * Partner with Security Architecture, Network Engineering, DevOps, application teams, and infrastructure teams to design and implement secure solutions. * Review proposed infrastructure and application changes to ensure alignment with established cybersecurity policies, architecture, and standards. * Maintain security configurations, standards, procedures, diagrams, and operational documentation. * Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers and serve as an escalation point for complex security issues. Essential Functions Cont'd * Support change management, incident response, vulnerability remediation, lifecycle management, and continuous security improvement initiatives. * Monitor platform health and maintain KPI reporting on coverage, rule effectiveness, and incident trends. * Implement automation scripting to improve firewall and web application firewall Operations and Services * Maintain platform documentation, change records, and configuration baselines. * Serves as the subject matter expert for firewall best practices, policies, and regulatory requirements. * Provides support and assistance during internal and external audits. * Interfaces with technical vendors regarding security issues and recommend solutions. * Develop firewall security standards. * Develop firewall security architecture designs. * Ability to author technical documentation. Performs infrastructure and web application vulnerability assessments.