Principal AI Engineer - Enterprise AI Solutions

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 185,200 - 299,475; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is looking for a Principal AI Engineer to lead the design and implementation of AI-powered solutions. This pivotal role demands extensive experience in developing enterprise-grade AI/ML platforms, including hands-on expertise with Generative AI technologies. You will collaborate closely with executive leadership and drive innovative AI projects, contributing to the deployment of robust distributed systems. The compensation ranges from $185,200 to $299,475 per year, based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience, or a Master's degree with 8 years of experience, or a PhD with 5 years of experience.
• Proven expertise in designing and building AI/ML platforms.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or Go.

Responsibilities

• Lead the applied AI solution design and architecture for enterprise AI applications.
• Drive the development and implementation of AI components.
• Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to align AI solutions with business needs.

Skills

Generative AI technologies

Python

Java

Go

TensorFlow

PyTorch

distributed systems architecture

cloud AI/ML platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Ph.D. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

GCP Vertex AI

AWS SageMaker

Job description

Job Summary

As a Principal AI Engineer for the Enterprise AI Platform, you will be a pivotal technical leader driving the design and hands‑on implementation of AI-powered solutions. You will operate where AI innovation, top‑tier engineering, and business outcomes converge, acting as a technical bridge between complex business problems and cutting‑edge AI execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the applied AI solution design and architecture, breaking down ambiguous business problems into concrete, actionable AI solution designs.
• Drive the hands‑on development and implementation of key AI components, supporting both traditional and Generative AI model development and deployment.
• Contribute significantly to the detailed design of large‑scale distributed AI/ML systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security.
• Proactively collaborate with executive leadership, data science, engineering, and product stakeholders to translate business use‑cases into scalable AI solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other AI/ML engineers, fostering a culture of engineering excellence and hands‑on experimentation.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of MLOps pipelines, including automated model training, versioning, deployment, and monitoring.
• Champion and enforce design standards, patterns, and best practices for scalable and secure development of AI applications across various teams.
• Actively research and evaluate cutting‑edge AI/ML techniques, algorithms, and models to identify opportunities for platform enhancement and new solution development.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent military experience required.
• 12+ years of related experience, or a Master's degree with 8 years of experience, or a PhD with 5 years of experience.
• Proven expertise in designing and building complex, enterprise‑grade AI/ML platforms and applications.
• Direct hands‑on experience with Generative AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic AI systems.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or Go and proficiency in modern AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Extensive hands‑on experience with distributed systems architecture, streaming data platforms, and cloud AI/ML platforms (e.g., GCP Vertex AI, AWS SageMaker).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related technical field.
• Experience contributing to open‑source AI projects or publications in top‑tier AI conferences.
• Prior experience in a technical consulting or solutions architecture role, bridging technical teams and senior business stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity principles as they apply to AI systems.

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 (https://benefits.paloaltonetworks.com/).

$185,200.00 - $299,475.00/yr

Benefits and Employment Information

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