Cloud Alliance Principal Solutions Architect

Palo Alto Networks; Burbank (CA); Hybrid; USD 239,000 - 279,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Cloud Alliance Principal Solutions Architect to lead our Google Cloud Platform alliance and provide secondary support for Azure and OCI. You will identify and drive technical integrations, develop enablement content, demos, and strategic blueprints for joint sales plays.

You will evangelize solutions at major events, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and travel to customer and partner sites as needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Technical Sales or GTM in Cloud, AI & Cybersecurity.
• B.S. in Computer Engineering, CS, or related field.
• Deep hands‑on with Palo Alto Networks security platforms and native cloud solutions (GCP, Azure, AWS).
• IaC tools: Terraform, Ansible, Helm; scripting in Bash/Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural co‑innovation and integrations for GCP, Azure, and OCI.
• Develop technical enablement content, demos, and deployment guides.
• Drive co‑sell scaffolding and joint marketing for partner tech alliances.
• Present findings and win stories at major events and executive briefings.
• Provide direct technical guidance to CSP teams and enterprise accounts.

Skills

Cloud & Security

GTM Strategy

Public Speaking

Technical Writing

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

B.S. in Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Helm

Python

GitHub

Job description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and strategic Cloud Alliance Principal Solutions Architect to join our Technology Engagement team. In this role, you will be the primary technical champion for our Google Cloud Platform (GCP) alliance, with secondary architectural support for Microsoft Azure and OCI. You will identify and drive technical integrations, build cutting-edge enablement content, evangelize joint solutions at major industry events, and unblock high‑value, partner‑led sales pipelines.

• Joint Product Integration & Co‑Innovation
• Drive Strategic Integrations: Lead architectural co‑innovation across GCP native security (Google Cloud NGFW, Cloud IDS, Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform), hybrid/container platforms (GKE, GDC, GCD), and Palo Alto Networks solutions (Prisma Access, Cortex Cloud, Strata Software Firewalls).
• Build Co‑Sell Scaffolding: Develop technical foundations for PayGo, OEM, and PLG motions while optimizing Marketplace listings.
• Strategic Influence: Align technical roadmaps with GCP and Palo Alto Networks product leaders to unlock joint revenue.
• Technical Content & Demos creation
• Architectural Assets: Author deployment guides, reference architectures, and blueprints for strategic sales plays.
• Automation & Labs: Build IaC automation (Terraform, Ansible, Helm), hands‑on lab environments (Qwiklabs, GitHub repos), and repeatable demos.
• Technical Evangelism Content: Produce technical write‑ups, whitepapers, blogs, and validated win stories.
• Technical Enablement & Industry Presence
• Global Enablement: Design and deliver technical workshops and executive sessions for CSP sellers, field engineers, and sales leaders.
• Industry Representation: Speak as a subject matter expert at key events (Google NEXT, PANW Ignite, Security Summits), summits, and webinars.
• Co‑Selling & Deal Support
• Pipeline Acceleration: Provide direct technical guidance to CSP account teams and ISV specialists to close CSP‑led deals.
• Executive & Customer Engagement: Lead technical discussions in Executive Briefing Centers (EBCs), QBRs, and design workshops for key enterprise accounts.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of Technical Sales or GTM in Cloud, AI & Cybersecurity.
• Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field (Business Administration background a plus).
• Cloud & Security Expertise: Deep hands‑on experience with Palo Alto Networks security platforms (VM‑Series ML‑NGFW, Prisma Access, Prisma Cloud, Cortex) combined with native GCP infrastructure and security solutions (GCP SecOps, Cloud NGFW, Cloud IDS, NSI, NCC, GKE, Cloud WAN, Load‑Balancers). Multi‑cloud familiarity with Azure and AWS is preferred.
• Automation & Infrastructure‑as‑Code: Knowledge in Terraform, Ansible, Helm, Bash, and Python scripting for cloud deployment automation.
• Evangelism & Public Speaking: Proven track record as a conference speaker or presenter at major events (e.g., Google NEXT, PANW Ignite, RSAC).
• Enablement & Content Creation: Experience authoring published technical blogs, whitepapers, deployment guides, and building Qwiklabs/Cloud Lab environments.
• Customer Engagement: Prior experience as a Technical Engagement Manager, Solutions Architect, or Senior Systems Engineer supporting global enterprise accounts and executive decision-makers.
• Communication: Excellent technical writing, presentation design, and public speaking skills.
• Available for quarterly international travel to lead technical enablement and serve as a subject matter expert at marketing events.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross‑functional, highly matrixed partner alliances and sales teams.
• Executive presence with the ability to confidently present business value to technical executives (CTOs, CISOs, VP of Infrastructure).

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non‑sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com‑missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$239,000.00 - $278,750.00/yr

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at [e-mail].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.