Senior Principal Engineer Test

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 254,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is seeking a skilled expert to lead test architecture across networking products. Responsibilities include defining long-term test strategies, guiding manufacturing test strategies, and partnering with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has a degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, 12–15 years of relevant experience, and expertise in programming (Python, JScript). Offering a competitive salary ($157,000 - $254,000/yr) and substantial employee benefits.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of experience in test, validation, systems, or hardware/software integration roles.
• Strong understanding of networking technologies and protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to debug highly complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Define and own system-level and platform-level test architecture across multiple networking products.
• Guide manufacturing test strategy and yield improvement at CM sites.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to influence design-for-test.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Python

JScript

C/C++

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant field

Tools

Linux-based systems

Job description

Job Summary

• 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.

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 and commissioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus.

Employee benefits information can be found in the career portal.

$157,000.00 - $254,000.00/yr

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.