Principal / Sr Software Engineer (Cloud Network and AI Security)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Palo Alto Networks, Inc. to help build the next generation of virtualization and SDN capabilities that power NGFW and AI security solutions.

You will design, scale, and implement core platform features enabling security engines to run across public clouds and private environments in VM and container forms. You’ll contribute across the full development lifecycle, work on hypervisor deployments, and integrate with SDN provisioning tools while advancing network software in a cutting-edge

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related engineering experience.
• Strong expertise in C, Python, and Go.
• Proficiency in low-level Linux systems programming including eBPF.
• Experience with cloud deployments on GCP, Azure, AWS.
• Knowledge of stateful firewall, packet processing, and network ACL.
• Experience with virtualization and SDN, hypervisor deployments.
• Proficiency in bash and Python scripting.
• Familiarity with Kubernetes and CNI.
• BS/MS in CS or EE or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement virtualization features across cloud environments.
• Engage in all phases of the product development cycle from concept to testing.
• Develop functional specifications, evaluate requirements and contribute to design and debugging.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies, hypervisors, and networking.

Skills

C Language

Python

Go

Linux kernel concepts

Networking fundamentals

Scripting (bash, Python)

Cloud deployments

AI Development workflows

Team collaboration

Education

BS/MS in CS or EE

Tools

Claude Code

Model Context Protocol

DPDK

XDP

Kubernetes

CNI

Terraform

PowerShell

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

Join the team building the future of enterprise defense. Our Cloud Network and AI Security group is responsible for developing next-generation virtualization platforms and service offerings for our industry-leading Next-Gen Firewalls (NGFW) and cutting-edge AI Runtime Security solutions.
In this role, you will be at the absolute core of our infrastructure. You will design, scale, and implement critical platform and networking features that allow our security engines to run seamlessly across public clouds, private environments in both virtual machine (VM) and containerized form factors.
As a key member of the Virtualization team at Palo Alto Networks, you will play a crucial role in developing our next-generation virtualization and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) offerings. Your work will involve designing and implementing new hypervisor deployments and integrations, seamlessly integrating with SDN provisioning tools, and making fundamental improvements to core networking in pure software environments. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of network security by working on cutting-edge, high-impact projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement new features and integrations for virtualization features across diverse cloud environments and deployments.
• Engage in all phases of the product development cycle from concept definition, design, through implementation, and testing.
• Develop comprehensive functional specifications, evaluate task requirements and timelines, and contribute to design, development, debugging, and support processes.
• Hands‑on experience with virtualization technologies, various hypervisors, system software, and networking.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Proficiency with AI Coding Tools like Claude Code throughout the entire SDLC to accelerate feature development, automated testing, and complex systems debugging.
• AI Development Workflows: Familiarity with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and building custom agents to bridge LLMs with local development environments, documentation, and infrastructure tools.
• 10 or more years of related engineering experience.
• Strong expertise in programming languages such as C, Python, and Go.
• Proficiency in low-level linux systems programming technologies such as eBPF.
• Strong knowledge in network security fields like stateful firewall, packet processing, and network ACL.
• Strong scripting skills in bash and Python.
• Experience with cloud deployments on platforms like GCP, Azure, AWS.
• Knowledge of network virtualization technologies like DPDK, XDP.
• BS/MS degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering or equivalent or equivalent military experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Kubernetes and CNI.
• Familiarity with cloud service architectures, including compute, networking, load‑balancers, and identity management.
• Familiarity with Terraform/CFT/PowerShell ARM templates.

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.

$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