Principal Security Researcher — Threat Prevention Innovator

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Security Researcher to shape ATP detections and drive vulnerability research. You will own projects, provide technical leadership, and contribute to production-grade protections across enterprise networks.

You’ll collaborate with product, QA, engineering, and research partners, guiding teams through complex problems and time pressures while advancing AI-assisted security workflows.

Qualifications

• Hands-on vulnerability research, exploit analysis, and IPS/IDS detection.
• Proven ability to translate findings into production-ready detections.
• Experience applying AI/ML to security analysis is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and cross-team influence.
• Ability to lead complex technical work under ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Define direction and make technical decisions for ATP detections.
• Drive detection ideas from concept to production with measurable impact.
• Lead and mentor researchers and developers.
• Collaborate with product, QA, engineering, and research partners.
• Improve rapid response to zero-days and emerging CVEs.

Skills

vulnerability research

exploit analysis

IPS/IDS detection

network protocols

AI/ML in security

leadership & mentoring

communication

programming/scripting

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or related

Job description

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Security Researcher to shape ATP detections and drive vulnerability research. You will own projects, provide technical leadership, and contribute to production-grade protections across enterprise networks.

You’ll collaborate with product, QA, engineering, and research partners, guiding teams through complex problems and time pressures while advancing AI-assisted security workflows.