Principal Engineer - Security & Detections (Prisma AIRS)

Palo Alto Networks; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 156,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is building a brand-new AIRS initiative focused on state-of-the-art AI/ML infrastructure and high‑performance, distributed backend systems. This role is hybrid, on-site 3x/week at our Santa Clara, CA headquarters.

As a Security / Detection Engineer, you will analyze multi‑stage attack behavior, craft deterministic signatures, own the detection lifecycle, and collaborate with threat research and inline ML teams to strengthen our AI security platform.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or equivalent practical experience with 8+ years in detection engineering, threat analysis, or security research.
• Deep expertise in writing and optimizing signature-based patterns.
• Thorough understanding of application-layer evasion techniques.
• Strong knowledge of detection-as-code and automated testing pipelines for signature validation.
• Scripting with Python, Regex, or similar tools to automate threat telemetry and rule creation.
• Solid understanding of MITRE ATT&CK and translating techniques into defensive controls.

Responsibilities

• Analyze multi-stage attack behavior sequences and translate them into precise, deterministic signatures.
• Develop and maintain high-performance signatures for inline engines with minimal impact on throughput.
• Own the signature lifecycle from research to deployment, regression testing, and deprecation.
• Drive FP tuning and validation to reduce alerts while maximizing true positives.
• Implement version pinning and dependency management for threat content updates across distributed deployments.
• Collaborate with threat research groups and inline ML teams to integrate signatures with classifiers.

Skills

Signature development

Evasion defense

Detection-as-code

Scripting: Python/Regex

MITRE ATT&CK awareness

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or Cyber Security

Tools

Python

Regex

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

Joining the AIRS Team

Palo Alto Networks is pioneering the world’s most comprehensive AI security platform through Prisma AIRS—protecting complex ecosystems of AI models, applications, and agents from development through runtime. As part of this mission, we are building a brand-new initiative on the AIRS team focused on advancing state‑of‑the‑art AI/ML infrastructure and high-performance, distributed backend systems. We are recruiting senior technical leaders to drive this architecture from the ground up across the following levels: Sr. Staff Engineer | Principal Engineer | Sr. Principal Engineer. Note: All roles are hybrid based on‑site (3x/week) at our corporate Headquarters in Santa Clara, CA.

As a Security / Detection Engineer, you will analyze multi‑stage attack behavior sequences and translate complex threat patterns into highly deterministic signatures. You will own the end‑to‑end detection lifecycle—from rule creation to continuous false‑positive (FP) tuning—ensuring our defense mechanisms are performant, accurate, and resilient against evasion.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze complex, multi-stage attack behavior sequences and transform them into precise, deterministic signatures.
• Develop and maintain high-performance signatures that can be safely enforced by our inline engines without impacting network throughput.
• Own the entire signature lifecycle, from initial research and threat modeling to deployment, automated regression testing, and deprecation.
• Drive continuous False Positive (FP) tuning and validation processes to minimize alert fatigue while maximizing true positive detection rates.
• Implement robust version pinning strategies and dependency management for threat prevention content updates, ensuring consistency across distributed firewall deployments.
• Partner with threat research groups and inline machine learning teams to integrate behavioral signatures with automated deep learning classifiers.

Qualifications

Required

Education & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or equivalent practical experience with 8+ years of dedicated experience in detection engineering, threat analysis, or security research.

Signature Development

• Deep expertise in writing and optimizing signature-based patterns.

Evasion Defense

• Thorough understanding of application-layer evasion techniques.

Detection-as-Code

• Strong knowledge of the detection‑as‑code philosophy and building automated testing pipelines for signature validation.

Additional Experience

• AI Security Frameworks: Familiarity with AI Risk & Threat signatures and OWASP frameworks (e.g., OWASP Top 10 for LLMs).
• Scripting & Tooling: Experience with Python, Regex, or other scripting tools to automate packet capture analysis, rule creation, and parsing threat telemetry.
• Threat Frameworks: Solid understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and translating offensive techniques into robust defensive controls.

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/commissioned 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.

$156,400.00 - $253,000.00/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.

Immigration Sponsorship

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