Senior Principal Engineer Test

Jobs Paloaltonetworks; California; On-site; USD 159,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks in California seeks a Senior Test Architect to define and own system- and platform-level test architecture across multiple networking products. You will shape long-term strategies for NPI, sustaining, and manufacturing, ensuring robust quality from design through release.

You will partner with Hardware, ASIC, Platform, Software, and Manufacturing teams to strengthen test reliability, lead automation initiatives, and mentor engineers, enabling early risk mitigation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 12–15+ years of experience in test, validation, systems, or hardware/software integration roles.
• Deep expertise in hardware circuitry and system architecture.
• Strong programming skills: Python or JScript (expert level), C/C++ is nice to have.
• Proven experience building and maintaining large-scale automation frameworks.
• Extensive experience in Linux-based systems.
• Strong understanding of networking technologies and protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to debug highly complex, intermittent, and cross-domain issues.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence without authority.

Responsibilities

• Define and own system- and platform-level test architecture across networking products.
• Establish long-term test strategies for NPI, sustaining, and manufacturing.
• Identify systemic quality risks early and drive mitigation before release.
• Partner with Hardware, ASIC, Platform, Software, and Manufacturing teams on test design.
• Represent test engineering in architecture reviews and readiness discussions.
• Mentor engineers and raise the overall technical bar of the test organization.
• Guide manufacturing test strategy, yield improvement, and failure triage.
• Drive root-cause analysis and software mitigation to prevent scrap.

Skills

Python

JScript

C/C++

Linux

Networking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, 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 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

Test Architecture & Strategy

• Define and own system-level and platform-level test architecture across multiple networking products.


• Establish long-term test strategies covering NPI, sustaining, and manufacturing.


• Identify systemic quality risks early and drive mitigation plans before release.

Hardware & System Expertise

• Deeply understand and review schematics, board layouts, and system architecture.


• Anticipate and debug complex issues involving:
  Power sequencing, reset topology, clocks
  High-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes)
  Memory subsystems (DDR, HBM, flash)


• Drive root‑cause analysis across ASIC, hardware, firmware, and OS boundaries.

Automation & Programming Leadership

• Architect and evolve scalable automation frameworks and regression infrastructure.


• Write and review production‑quality code for test, diagnostics, and tooling.


• Set coding standards and best practices for test automation.


• Leverage data, analytics, and AI‑assisted tools to improve failure detection and test efficiency.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Partner with Hardware, ASIC, Platform, Software, and Manufacturing teams to influence design‑for‑test and reliability.


• Represent test engineering in architecture reviews, EC/ECO discussions, and readiness reviews.


• Mentor senior engineers and raise the overall technical bar of the test organization.

Manufacturing & Production Impact

• Guide manufacturing test strategy, yield improvement, and failure triage at CM sites.


• Prevent unnecessary hardware scrap through strong root‑cause analysis and software mitigation.


• Drive alignment between lab validation and factory test coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.


• 12–15+ years of experience in test, validation, systems, or hardware/software integration roles.


• Deep expertise in hardware circuitry and system architecture.


• Strong programming skills:
  Python or JScript (expert level),
  C/C++ is nice to have


• Proven experience building and maintaining large‑scale automation frameworks.


• Extensive experience in Linux‑based systems.


• Strong understanding of networking technologies and protocols.


• Demonstrated ability to debug highly complex, intermittent, and cross‑domain issues.


• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence without authority.

#LI-RT2

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.

$159,100.00 - $257,400.00/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.