Principal Threat Researcher (Unit 42)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Burbank (CA); Remote; USD 172,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is seeking a Principal Threat Researcher for the Unit 42 NATSEC team.

You will own high‑level research on nationwide threats, lead investigations, and mentor junior analysts while collaborating with internal teams across geographies. Your work includes tracking global adversary trends, delivering rapid analyses during cyber events, and translating complex findings into actionable guidance for national security stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of threat intelligence experience.
• Understanding of adversary attack lifecycle and TTPs.
• Experience with data analysis tools for network and host data.
• Scripting knowledge to facilitate data collection.
• Proven ability to lead tasks and projects independently.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze threat data from global datasets.
• Lead threat research initiatives and maintain tools/workflows.
• Translate complex findings into clear assessments for national security.
• Perform pivot analysis to map C2 and TTPs.
• Deliver rapid threat analysis during cyber events and RFIs.
• Collaborate with research, product, consulting, and sales teams.

Skills

Threat intelligence

Ransomware

Nation-state threats

Data analysis

Scripting languages

Communication skills

Tools

Passive DNS

Network analysis

Host-based analysis

Malware analysis tools

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! This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Summary

As a Principal Threat Researcher within the Unit 42 National Security (NATSEC) team, you will leverage expert‑level domain knowledge across nation‑state Advanced Persistent Threats, cybercrime, and emerging threat landscapes. Operating as an independent self‑starter, you will take full ownership of high‑level tasking, complete priority research gaps, and drive custom intelligence research. You will be responsible for tracking global adversary trends, resolving RFIs, and embedding actionable findings to protect national security missions. Furthermore, you will deliver rapid‑turnaround threat analysis during high‑visibility cyber events and mentor junior analysts to influence broader company initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, correlate, and analyze threat data from disparate global datasets into a cohesive intelligence story.
• Lead threat research initiatives independently by designing, developing, and maintaining tools and workflows.
• Simplify complex technical findings into clear, tailored assessments for national security stakeholders.
• Perform pivot analysis across closed and open‑source datasets to map C2 infrastructure and identify TTPs.
• Deliver rapid‑turnaround threat analysis and technical feedback during major cyber events and urgent customer RFIs.
• Partner closely with internal research teams, product engineering, consulting, and sales to drive strategic alignment.

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in threat intelligence focused on ransomware, nation‑state, cybercrime, and supply‑chain risks.
• Expert understanding of the adversary’s attack lifecycle, TTPs, and high‑fidelity indicators of compromise.
• Experience with data analysis tools, including passive DNS, network infrastructure analysis, and host‑based information analysis.
• Knowledge of scripting languages to facilitate data collection and analysis.
• Proven ability to lead tasks and projects independently while providing recommendations for process improvement.
• Strong problem‑solving skills to navigate complex and ambiguous situations effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of collaborating across all organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a mentor, team lead, or technical reviewer for technical research outputs.
• Ability to interpret and act on internal and external intelligence reports.
• Ability to conduct research on the dark web with appropriate levels of OpSec.
• Familiarity with static and dynamic malware analysis tools.
• Prior experience working within or alongside government agencies or fusion centers.
• Experienced public speaker at large industry conferences.
• Comfortable collaborating and working effectively within a fully remote team environment.
• Ability to adapt to changes in a growing team and prioritize work based on project needs and deadlines.

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.

$172,100.00 - $278,300.00/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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.