Principal AI Automation / Test Engineer (Cloud NGFW)

Jobs Paloaltonetworks; California (MO); On-site; USD 187,000 - 303,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Senior Principal Software Automation/Test Engineer for its Next-Gen Firewall Cloud Security team. You’ll lead automated testing for public and private cloud security products and drive QA across the lifecycle.

You will build, run, and maintain automated test scenarios for VM/CN firewalls and Cloud NGFW, collaborating with developers and product management to deliver high‑quality solutions with AI-powered testing approaches.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience.
• Deep understanding of testing methodologies and experience with functional testing.
• Experience testing Firewall or Network Security appliances.
• Proficient with Python scripting and should be able to run and debug existing scripts.
• Experience with QA test or automation teams involved with Cloud or Network security and Rest APIs.
• Proven track record of building autonomous testing systems or AI-powered quality engineering tools.

Responsibilities

• Scope, design, and maintain test plans and cases across the product lifecycle.
• Develop and run functional tests for VM/CN firewalls and Cloud NGFW.
• Drive automation to improve efficiency and reliability in releases.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Software, and Quality Engineering teams to deliver cloud security products on time with high quality.

Skills

Python scripting

Cloud security testing

Functional testing

Automation testing

Networking security

Linux

AI-powered quality tools

REST APIs

Test automation frameworks

Education

MSEE/CS or BS/CS

Tools

Spirent Avalanche

IX Load

Breaking Point

Public/Private Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP/OCI)

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!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real‑time problem‑solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Summary

Your Career

Palo Alto Network’s Next-Gen Firewall Cloud Security team is looking for a Senior Principal Software Automation/Test Engineer with experience in Public and Private Cloud Security testing and automation to fill a technical leadership position.

You will be part of a world‑class software QA engineering team that works on various ground‑breaking Cloud security products,

As a Senior Principal Software Automation/Test Engineer , you will build, automate, and run functional testing scenarios for our products in virtualized elements. You are driven in their desire to get hands‑on experience with a wide variety of networking technologies.

You'll work closely with our development and product management teams, testing and presenting the results to identify new approaches. You will participate in design discussions and help make a difference in developing the future direction of our software.

You will drive the efficiency and reliability of our products by testing them thoroughly to understand potential risks, bugs, or issues, providing an exemplary product experience for our end users. You strive for the best in everything you do—meaning you won’t rest until the products you work on are of the highest quality. You love hunting for problems within the code, seeking issues to correct, and enjoy the challenge of a code-based scavenger hunt that includes testing, providing feedback, and identifying alternative suggestions for our product’s environment.

Your Impact

Our tech stack is deeply integrated with AI. You’ll be responsible for ensuring quality in a fast‑evolving environment where AI powers both the products we build and the way we build them.

Participate in all aspects of QA product lifecycle - Scoping, test case creation and maintenance, feature, regression, execution, and automation

Work with cross-functionally with Product Management, Software, and Quality Engineering teams to deliver cloud security products to the market in a timely fashion with excellent quality.

Responsible for functional testing of Palo Alto Networks’ next-generation VM/CN firewalls and Cloud NGFW in various cloud providers.

Drive the automation within and across the cross functional teams and strive to achieve technical and operational excellence in every step of the release.

Develop tools and infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of testing

Work closely with customer support and field teams to improve end-customer outcomes.

Learn and implement test cases that give insight into customer deployment scenarios

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience


• Deep understanding of testing methodologies and experience with functional testing


• Experience testing Firewall or Network Security appliances


• Proficient with Python scripting and should be able to run and debug existing scripts


• Experience and Good domain knowledge with cloud-based deployments (AWS/Azure/GCP/OCI preferred)


• Experience with QA test or automation teams involved with Cloud or Network security and Rest APIs


• Proven track record of building autonomous testing systems or AI-powered quality engineering tools. Demonstrated passion for applying innovative AI-based tools to accelerate coding and testing processes.


• Experience with Linux and open source tools is desired


• Knowledge using commercial test tools such as Spirent Avalanche, IX Load or Breaking Point is desirable


• MSEE/CS or BS/CS career-level of experience in the Networking Security industry, or equivalent experience or equivalent military experience required

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.

$187,000.00 - $302,500.00/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?: Yes