Senior Principal Engineer Software

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policies

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. seeks a Software Engineer to work on next-generation security platforms, delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. As part of the WildFire Team, you will collaborate with developers and researchers to tackle emerging threats in an innovative environment.

The candidate must have extensive knowledge of operating systems and hands-on experience with C, C++, and Python. This position is located in Santa Clara, California, and offers a hybrid work model promoting flexibility.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience working on Hypervisor development or low-level Operating System development.
• Excellent Operating System internals understanding.
• Proficient in C, C++, and Python development.

Responsibilities

• Work with developers, researchers, data scientists, and security experts.
• Design and operate secure cloud infrastructure.
• Automate robust deployment of services.
• Participate in design reviews.

Skills

Hypervisor development

Operating System development

Linux

C

C++

Python

Concurrent Programming

Device drivers knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Communication

Education

BS/MS in computer science/engineering or equivalent experience

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 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

Our Mission: At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission: Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We have the vision of a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These aren’t easy goals to accomplish – but we’re not here for easy. We’re here for better. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Disruption is at the core of our technology and our way of work to meet the needs of our employees now and in the future through FLEXWORK, our approach to how we work. We’re changing the nature of work from benefits to learning, location to leadership, we’ve rethought and recreated every aspect of the employee experience at Palo Alto Networks. And because it FLEXes around each individual employee based on their choices, employees are empowered to push boundaries and help us all evolve, together.

Your Career

We are the WildFire Team in the Content Delivered Security Service (CDSS) organization. Our engineering and Security Research team is at the core of our products and delivers the best of security services in the cloud to prevent cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating and challenging the way we, and the whole industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don’t shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before.

As a member of the team, you will work with researchers and engineers on implementing different projects that detect and defend against various emerging threats. You will be a key person in transforming ideas into products that are part of the next‑generation security platform. The team is responsible for innovating new security techniques.

Your Impact

• Work with developers, researchers, data scientists, and security experts
• Design, build and operate reliable, secure cloud infrastructure
• Ensure that applications are production‑ready, scalable, and reliable
• Develop tools and automation frameworks
• Automate robust deployment of services
• Orchestrate end‑to‑end monitoring and alerting
• Participate with SRE and Dev teams in the on‑call rotation
• Lead root‑cause analysis of critical business and production issues
• Participate in design reviews

Qualifications

Your Experience

• 4+ years experience working on Hypervisor development or low‑level Operating System development.
• Excellent Operating System internals understanding.
• Linux is required, and Windows is a plus. Concurrent Programming.
• Proficiency in development experience using C, C++, and Python.
• Understanding of device drivers and PCI devices.
• Can demonstrate good design and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Be comfortable working independently and efficiently.
• Hands‑on and can‑do attitude, willing to learn new technologies.
• BS/MS in computer science/engineering, or equivalent experience.

The Team

To stay ahead of the curve, it’s critical to know where the curve is, and how to anticipate the changes we’re facing. For the fastest growing cybersecurity company, the curve is the evolution of cyberattacks, and the products and services that proactively address them. Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. They are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. These engineers aren’t shy about creating products to solve problems no one has tackled before. They define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday life that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

Our engineering team is provided with an unrivaled opportunity to build the products and practices that will support our company growth over the next decade, defining the cybersecurity industry as we know it. If you see the potential of how incredible people can transform a business, this is the team for you. If you don’t wait for directions, instead, identifying new features and opportunities we have to just get better, this is your new career.

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.