Principal Consultant, Proactive Services, Unit 42

Palo Alto Networks; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Consultant to lead Zero Trust advisory engagements, translating complex theory into practical, scalable security architectures for enterprise clients. You will act as a senior technical and strategic advisor, shaping client security postures and driving high-value transformations across multiple geographies.

You will guide risk assessments, develop roadmaps, and align with NIST CSF, ISO, and CIS frameworks while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Must speak English and Portuguese, Spanish a plus.
• 6+ years leading cybersecurity advisory or professional services engagements for enterprise clients.
• Expertise in end-to-end security architectures aligned with NIST SP 800-207 and CISA ZT Maturity Model.
• Experience with risk assessments using NIST CSF, CIS 18, ISO 27001.
• Hands-on with GRC tools and technologies.
• Proven track record in strengthening client relationships and pre-sales.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to executives and engineers.
• Expertise in SOC and MSSP environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex Zero Trust advisory engagements for enterprise clients.
• Translate security risks into actionable plans for C-suite and teams.
• Develop Zero Trust roadmaps across IAM, network, endpoint and cloud.
• Perform security assessments across AWS, Azure, GCP and ensure integration of SASE, XDR.
• Oversee project scoping, budgets and risk mitigation for multiple engagements.
• Drive practice growth by pursuing new opportunities and crafting SOWs.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to thought leadership.

Skills

English

Portuguese

Cybersecurity leadership

Client advisory

Education

Bachelor's Degree

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

As a Principal Consultant in our Zero Trust Advisory practice, you will lead complex, client-facing engagements, translating advanced Zero Trust theory into resilient, real-world security architectures. You will serve as a senior technical and strategic advisor for our most sophisticated clients, shaping their security posture and driving high-value transformation. This role is pivotal in delivering elite advisory services while also scaling Unit 42’s market-leading Zero Trust practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Zero Trust transformations and turning complex security challenges into resilient architectures for enterprise clients.
• Run security engagements that include Managing risk assessments, audits, policy development, and incident response tabletop exercises.
• Act as a Trusted Advisor by translating business risks into actionable security plans for C-suite executives and technical teams.
• Use knowledge of threat actors, MITRE ATT&CK, and AI security to improve client defenses.
• Build Zero Trust roadmaps across Identity (IAM), network, endpoint, and cloud domains.
• Identify vulnerabilities and audit enterprise architectures to find "hidden trust" zones and visibility gaps; design "least-privilege" controls.
• Perform security assessments across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Ensure SASE, Identity, and XDR tools work together as one automated system.
• Guide clients using NIST CSF, ISO, CIS, and CISA frameworks.
• Oversee project scoping, budgets, and risk mitigation for multiple simultaneous engagements.
• Drive growth of practice by identifying new opportunities, growing existing client relationships, drafting Statements of Work (SOWs), and responding to RFPs.
• Create intellectual property, speak at industry events, and mentor junior team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Must speak English and Portuguese, Spanish a plus
• 6+ years of experience leading cybersecurity advisory, risk management, or professional services engagements for enterprise clients.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing end-to-end security architectures aligned with frameworks like NIST SP 800-207 and the CISA ZT Maturity Model.
• Extensive experience performing information security and risk assessments based upon industry-accepted standards (e.g., NIST CSF, CIS 18, ISO 27001).
• Hands-on experience with the implementation and administration of common GRC tools and technologies.
• Demonstrated track record in strengthening existing and developing new client relationships.
• Experience communicating complex technical concepts to both executive and engineering audiences.
• Expertise and deep knowledge in complex SOC and MSSP environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of strengthening client relationships and contributing to business growth through pre-sales and solution positioning.
• Experience architecting security solutions in hybrid and multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Conduct comprehensive security assessments of AI systems and tools using frameworks such as:
• Operational Technology cybersecurity expertise and experience with Palo Alto Networks technologies, including Prisma Access, NGFW, and Cortex XDR.

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.