Network Operation Center Network Security Engineer / L1

We are seeking an L1 NOC Network Security Engineer to join our IT operations team in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The ideal candidate will have a foundational understanding of network and security with a strong desire to grow and develop their technical skills in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment. The L1 NOC Engineer will be the first point of contact for monitoring and responding to alerts, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the stability and performance of the network and security systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitoring and Incident Detection: Continuously monitor network and security using SolarWinds. Respond to alerts and incidents as they arise, ensuring quick detection and resolution of issues. Escalate issues to L2 or L3 engineers as necessary, following established protocols.
• Initial Troubleshooting: Perform troubleshooting on network and security issues, including switches, routers, firewall, Load balancer, MPLS link, WAN links, etc. Use remote tools to access and troubleshoot network and security devices. Document all incidents, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions in the incident management system.
• Incident Management: Categorize and prioritize incidents based on severity and impact. Ensure timely communication with affected stakeholders and provide updates until the issue is resolved. Follow up on escalated issues to ensure they are being addressed promptly.
• Network and System Maintenance: Assist in routine network and security maintenance tasks, including applying patches, updates, and configuration changes.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of the network topology, configurations, and SOPs. Generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports on network performance, incidents, and other key metrics.
• Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with L2 and L3 engineers, as well as other IT teams, to resolve complex issues and improve network reliability. Participate in team meetings to discuss ongoing issues and share knowledge.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 3+ years in large industry monitoring network and security operations.
• Technical Skills: Experience in troubleshooting Network/Security devices (Switches, routers, firewall, Load balancer, MPLS link, WAN links, etc.). Familiarity with network and security monitoring tools (SolarWinds) and incident management systems (ServiceNow).
• Troubleshooting: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Certifications: CISCO CCNA/Security or equivalent; Solarwinds certifications are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a 24/7 operations environment, particularly in a NOC or similar role.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes, particularly incident and problem management.
• Knowledge of cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure) and their monitoring tools.
• Good understanding of Digital & Cybersecurity service management processes.
• Exposure to configuration management tools.

Work Conditions: On-site, Full-time, 24/7 shift environment with on-call support.