Principal AI Engineer - Enterprise AI Solutions

Palo Alto Networks; United States; On-site; USD 185,000 - 299,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal AI Engineer for the Enterprise AI Platform to lead AI solution design and hands-on implementation. You will bridge complex business problems with cutting-edge AI execution across cloud environments.

You will mentor other AI/ML engineers, drive MLOps pipelines, and collaborate with executives, data science, engineering, and product teams to deliver scalable, secure AI systems with measurable impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent military experience.
• 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 Python, Java, or Go and proficiency in TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Extensive hands-on experience with distributed systems architecture, streaming data platforms and cloud AI/ML platforms (e.g., AWS SageMaker, GCP Vertex AI).

Responsibilities

• Lead AI solution design and architecture, breaking down ambiguous business problems into actionable AI designs.
• Develop and deploy AI components for traditional and Generative AI model workflows.
• Design large-scale, distributed AI/ML systems with performance and security in mind.
• Collaborate with executives, data science, engineering, and product teams to translate use-cases into scalable AI solutions.
• Mentor other AI/ML engineers and promote engineering excellence.
• Lead MLOps pipelines with automated training, versioning, deployment, and monitoring.
• Enforce design standards for scalable, secure AI applications across teams.
• Research and evaluate cutting-edge AI/ML techniques to enhance the platform.

Skills

Python

Java

Go

Generative AI

LLMs

RAG

Distributed systems

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science

PhD in Computer Science/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Vertex AI

SageMaker

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

The Team

Our Information Technology (IT) team at Palo Alto Networks is at the forefront of the digital transformation that will redefine our industry and the way people work. We are business-enabling partners to the entire organization, designing and delivering cutting-edge, data-driven, and secure technology solutions. The IT team is a diverse group of innovators, and our mission is to enable the company to achieve its goals by providing the technology, services, and insights our employees need to do their best work.

Your Career

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 the technical bridge between complex business problems and cutting-edge AI execution. Leveraging our robust Enterprise AI Platform, you will translate ambiguous problems into concrete AI solution designs and ensure their successful deployment and measurable impact.

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.

$185,200.00 - $299,475.00/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