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

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer / Researcher to advance core technologies for our Chromium-based Prisma Browser. You will tackle complex problems where documented paths may not exist, applying expertise in C/C++ and/or Rust, debugging, and investigative engineering across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

You’ll work across Chromium, networking, security, and remote-access technologies, turning research into secure, production-ready capabilities with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Strong university degree in engineering or computer science, or equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years in software/systems engineering or security research.
• Proficient in C/C++ and/or Rust with multi-threaded, performance-sensitive code.

Responsibilities

• Lead features in the Chromium-based Prisma Browser from conception to deployment.
• Investigation across systems, debugging and problem solving across layers and OSes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and optimize security features.

Skills

C/C++

Rust

Multithreading

Debugging

Windows/macOS/Linux

Reverse engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS or related

Master's or PhD with related experience

Equivalent work experience

Tools

IDA Pro

Ghidra

Frida

Detours

Packet analyzers

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

• 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.

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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.