Senior Principal Software Engineer (C++-low level-Prisma Browser)

Palo Alto Networks; California; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer / Researcher to advance core technologies in our Chromium-based Prisma Browser. You will tackle complex problems where established solutions may not exist, requiring deep C/C++ or Rust systems expertise and investigative prowess.

You will work across Chromium, operating systems, networking, security, and remote-access technologies, turning research into secure, production-ready capabilities while learning unfamiliar systems and

Qualifications

• Education: Engineering/CS degree, multiple pathways accepted with substantial related experience.
• 6+ years of software or systems engineering, security research, or related work.
• Strong programming in C/C++ and/or Rust on complex, multithreaded production software.
• Experience with reverse engineering, API hooking/instrumentation, protocol analysis, binary analysis, security research.
• Exceptional debugging and code-analysis skills across Windows/macOS/Linux.
• Solid understanding of process architecture, memory management, concurrency, IPC, networking, and asynchronous programming.
• Ability to grasp unfamiliar technologies and large codebases quickly.
• Ability to investigate ambiguous problems, prototype alternatives, and devise solutions without established paths.

Responsibilities

• Lead the change - Own critical features from conception to deployment in the Prisma Browser core.
• Solve problems using creative approaches to tough obstacles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and optimize features.

Skills

C/C++

Rust

Multithreaded software

Debugging

Systems concepts

Codebase comprehension

Investigative engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Tools

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Frida

Detours

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:

We are looking for a Principal Systems Engineer / Researcher to build and advance core technologies within our Chromium-based Prisma Browser.

This role is for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems where an established solution may not exist. The ideal candidate combines strong C/C++ or Rust systems engineering, exceptional debugging and problem-solving skills, and an investigative mindset- the ability to look beyond documented APIs, understand how systems actually work, and explore new ways to solve difficult technical challenges.

You will work across Chromium, operating systems, networking, security, and remote-access technologies, rapidly learning unfamiliar systems and turning research and prototypes into secure, production-quality capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the change - Own critical features from conception to deployment, shaping the core of our Chromium-based Prisma Browser
• Problem Solving: Leveraging creative approaches to overcome tough obstacles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and optimize features.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Education Requirement: All degrees must be in Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field. Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of related experience; OR Master's degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; OR PhD with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; OR equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years of software engineering, systems engineering, security research, or related experience.
• Strong programming expertise in C/C++ and/or Rust, including experience with complex, multithreaded, performance-sensitive production software.
• Strong experience with reverse engineering, API hooking/instrumentation, protocol analysis, binary analysis, security research, or similar investigative engineering techniques.
• Exceptional debugging and code-analysis skills, with the ability to investigate complex problems across multiple layers of a system on Windows, macOS, and/or Linux.
• Good understanding of systems concepts like process architecture, memory management, concurrency, IPC, networking, and asynchronous programming.
• Ability to quickly understand unfamiliar technologies and large, complex codebases.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate ambiguous technical problems, challenge assumptions, prototype alternative approaches, and develop solutions where an established implementation path may not exist.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing or modifying Chromium, including areas such as browser/renderer architecture, Mojo/IPC, networking, sandboxing, profiles, extensions, or platform integration.
• JavaScript/TypeScript/Python and Chrome extension experience
• Experience with advanced debugging and analysis tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, Frida, Detours, packet analyzers, tracing frameworks, or equivalent technologies.
• Experience with RDP, SSH, SMB, VNC, VDI, application streaming, remote browser isolation, or other remote-access technologies.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP, TLS, proxies, tunneling, PKI, Kerberos, NTLM, SPNEGO, SSH authentication, and related security technologies.
• Experience integrating native operating-system functionality with Chromium or another large cross-platform application.
• Experience with browser media and graphics technologies such as H.264/H.265, hardware video acceleration, GPU rendering, WebGL, WebGPU, or WebCodecs.
• Experience with WebAssembly or bringing existing native technologies into browser environments.
• Understanding of browser security architecture including sandboxing, process/site isolation, permissions, profiles, storage, extensions, and browser trust boundaries.
• Experience analyzing, modifying, or contributing to large open-source projects.

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.

• /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