Principal Enterprise Network Security Architect

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks in the SF Bay Area is seeking a senior network security engineer to own the architectural blueprint and governance for our global security footprint. You’ll shape Zero Trust strategy, define policies, and drive security across on‑prem and cloud environments.

You will mentor engineers, advance automation with IaC and CI/CD, collaborate across IT and security, and help integrate AI/ML capabilities while ensuring compliance and data privacy.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in large enterprise networking and network security engineering with leadership.
• Deep expertise in Zero Trust, advanced segmentation, and hybrid-cloud design.
• Experience with security automation and infrastructure‑as‑code frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture blueprint and governance for global network security footprint across hybrid environments.
• Define and enforce enterprise security policies including segmentation and access control.
• Integrate security into all layers of network design with cross‑functional collaboration.
• Identify vulnerabilities and lead remediation across on‑prem and cloud environments.
• Leverage Palo Alto Networks products and third‑party platforms for visibility and protection.
• Champion network security automation using scripting, IaC, and CI/CD.
• Serve as escalation authority during security events and design long‑term remediations.
• Mentor senior engineers and contribute to architectural standards.

Skills

Zero Trust

Security automation

Infrastructure as Code

AI/ML tooling

Firewall & VPN

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

CI/CD pipelines

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

Information Technology - Working at a high‑tech cybersecurity company within Information Technology is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. You’ll join the brightest minds in technology, creating, building, and supporting tools and enabling our global teams on the front line of defense against cyberattacks. We’re connected by one mission but driven by the impact of that mission and what it means to protect our way of life in the digital age. Join a dynamic and fast‑paced team of people who feel excited by the prospect of a challenge and feel a thrill at resolving technical gaps that inhibit productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the architectural blueprint and governance for our global network security footprint, ensuring scalability across hybrid environments.
• Define, develop, and enforce enterprise‑wide security policies, including segmentation, access control, and traffic inspection, serving as a subject matter expert.
• Drive the integration of security into all layers of network design, proactively collaborating with security, infrastructure, and IT teams to ensure alignment.
• Proactively identify vulnerabilities and lead complex remediation efforts across on‑prem and cloud environments, simplifying complex problems to establish best practices.
• Leverage Palo Alto Networks products and third‑party platforms to enhance network visibility, protection, and threat intelligence.
• Champion and implement advanced network security automation using scripting, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure‑as‑code best practices, setting the technical direction.
• Serve as the ultimate escalation authority during critical security events, designing long‑term architectural remediations to ensure the same issue never happens twice.
• Provide technical mentorship to senior engineers, contribute significantly to our architectural standards, and foster a strong security‑first culture.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with 12+ years of progressive experience in large enterprise networking and network security engineering, with a demonstrable track record of leadership in large‑scale environments.
• Deep expertise in Zero Trust architecture , advanced network segmentation, and Proven experience designing and securing massive, global hybrid‑cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, or GCP paired with on‑prem).
• Extensive hands‑on experience architecting and implementing security automation and infrastructure‑as‑code frameworks Advanced capability in writing infrastructure‑as‑code ( Terraform, Ansible) and building CI/CD pipelines. This is an automation‑first environment.
• Experience with leveraging AI/ML tools to simplify operational tasks and build auto‑healing capabilities.
• Strong understanding of AI and Large Language Model (LLM) architectures, including AI application components, data flows, APIs, and model integration. Ability to design and secure AI‑enabled solutions by addressing identity and access management, data privacy, prompt injection, model security, API protection, governance, and regulatory compliance
• Exceptional expertise in firewall technologies, VPN, IDS/IPS, NAC, and advanced micro segmentation strategies.
• Mastery of routing, switching, and TCP/IP protocols; significant experience with Arista, Juniper, or equivalent enterprise‑grade network hardware.
• Must be local to SF bay area or willing to relocate on their own

Preferred Qualifications

• A deep and proven background with Palo Alto Networks products and platforms (e.g., NGFW, Panorama, Prisma Access).
• Superior troubleshooting and analytical skills to diagnose and resolve the most complex security issues.
• Exceptional communication and technical leadership skills with a proven ability to drive cross‑functional collaboration and influence strategic decisions.

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/) .

$154,000.00 - $249,500.00/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