Principal Engineer Software (Strata Cloud Control Plane) (Evergreen)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 237,500; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to develop a scalable cloud management platform overseeing next-generation security solutions. Ideal candidates will have over 8 years of experience in enterprise applications and technical leadership, with strong programming skills in GoLang. As part of the team, you will lead projects, collaborate with cross-functional groups, and mentor junior members. A competitive compensation package includes a salary range of $147,000 to $237,500 per year, dependent on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of building large enterprise applications.
• Experience in technical leadership roles in cloud-native apps.
• Excellent programming skills in GoLang, Python is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable cloud control plane for hybrid deployments.
• Technical leadership and delivery of solutions.
• Mentor new team members and improve microservices quality.

Skills

GoLang programming

Technical leadership

Cloud-native applications

Object-oriented design

Microservices

Kubernetes

Data management solutions

DevOps collaboration

Education

MS/BS in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Cloud infrastructure

Graph databases

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 what our employees work on 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

Help build what is next. Our Cloud Management Platform is a public cloud‑delivered management platform to manage all Palo Alto Networks next‑generation network security solutions. It’s an easy‑to‑use, scalable and secure platform to operationalize complex deployments using the Palo Alto Networks network security portfolio.

The Team

Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don’t shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before.

We define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of a challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

Principal Software Engineers are

• Technical experts that help accelerate adoption of the very best engineering practices, while maintaining knowledge on industry innovations, trends and practices.
• Experts who deliver on critical business needs and are recognized across the company as go‑to engineering resources in given domains.
• Role models and mentors who exemplify the best of Palo Alto Networks culture.
• Leaders who can communicate cogently with hands‑on engineers.
• Hands‑on engineers that can code and build great products.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, collaborate and develop a highly scalable cloud control plane for managing services at scale in hybrid deployments.
• Hands‑on participation in developing next‑generation configuration management architecture.
• Technical leadership and end‑to‑end delivery of solutions in collaboration with cross‑functional product management, development and quality assurance teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Deliberately build frameworks to improve quality of microservices.
• Work with DevOps and Technical Support teams to investigate and resolve critical customer defects.
• Recruit and mentor new team members.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in building large enterprise applications. 3+ years experience in technical leadership roles in building major cloud‑native apps or subsystems.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate with many cross‑functional teams with an emphasis on end‑to‑end delivery.
• Experience in the full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, peer review, and operations.
• Experience with certificate life cycle management is preferred.
• Excellent programming skills in GoLang is a must; Python is a plus.
• Strong fundamentals in object‑oriented design and development is a must. Experience with or familiarity of test‑driven development and continuous integration is required.
• Experience developing microservice based solutions on public cloud infrastructure is highly desirable. Experience developing in Kubernetes‑based environments is a plus.
• Experience building data management solutions using transactional data stores is required. Knowledge of and experience building enterprise software with graph databases is highly desirable.
• Experience building network and security configuration management systems is highly desirable.
• MS/BS in Computer Science or equivalent.

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.

147,000.00 – 237,500.00 / 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