Senior Software Engineer - AI Security

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an AI security engineer to design reference architectures and AI-driven security services for secure product development.

You will build reusable libraries and guardrails, develop automated testing to uncover AI vulnerabilities, and translate threat models into concrete engineering requirements. The role emphasizes hardening the platform, governance of internal tooling, and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Deep engineering expertise: 4–6+ years designing and securing complex software.
• Architecture & threat analysis: evaluate data flows, permissions, and trust boundaries to spot weaknesses.
• Strategic execution: turn complex security risks into concrete product features.
• Automation-first approach: build reusable tools, secure libraries, and automated test patterns.
• Practical knowledge of prompt injection testing, AI red teaming, and model safety.
• Familiarity with enterprise SaaS requirements (audit logs, data residency, encryption).
• Background in developing internal tools, CI pipelines, MCP integrations, or coding-agent guardrails.
• Active participation in security community via open-source work or vulnerability reports.

Responsibilities

• Design AI security reference architectures and build AI-driven security services for seamless use in product development.
• Build reusable libraries and guardrails to make secure implementation the default standard, reducing systemic risk across engineering teams.
• Develop automated testing suites to identify and mitigate AI-specific vulnerabilities, such as prompt injection, indirect instruction following, and unsafe workspace mutations.
• Translate complex threat models into clear engineering requirements, production security checks, and launch criteria.
• Analyze production signals and incident reports to continuously harden the platform and optimize security architectures.
• Govern the safe use of internal tooling (coding agents, automation hooks, MCP integrations) to maintain a healthy balance between developer productivity and security.

Skills

Engineering Expertise

Threat Analysis

Strategic Execution

Automation First

Prompt Injection

AI Safety

Tools

CI Pipelines

MCP Integrations

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

• Design AI security reference architectures and build AI-driven security services for seamless use in product development.
• Build reusable libraries and guardrails to make secure implementation the default standard, reducing systemic risk across all engineering teams.
• Develop automated testing suites to identify and mitigate AI-specific vulnerabilities, such as prompt injection, indirect instruction following, and unsafe workspace mutations.
• Translate complex threat models into clear engineering requirements, production security checks, and launch criteria.
• Analyze production signals and incident reports to continuously harden the platform and optimize security architectures.
• Govern the safe use of internal tooling (coding agents, automation hooks, MCP integrations) to maintain a healthy balance between developer productivity and security.

Qualifications

• Deep Engineering Expertise: 4-6+ years designing and securing complex software, with a proven ability to write and review production code cross-functionally.
• Architecture & Threat Analysis: Strong judgment in evaluating data flows, permissions, and trust boundaries to spot structural weaknesses and redesign them for safety.
• Strategic Execution: Proven ability to turn complex security risks into concrete, implementable product features.
• Automation-First Approach: Focused on building reusable tools, secure libraries, and automated test patterns to solve problems permanently.
• Practical knowledge of prompt injection testing, AI red teaming, and evaluating model safety.
• Familiarity with enterprise SaaS requirements (e.g., audit logs, data residency, encryption, customer trust guarantees).
• Background in developing internal tools, CI pipelines, MCP integrations, or coding-agent guardrails.
• Active participation in the security community via open-source work, vulnerability write-ups, or conference talks.

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.

$152,300.00 - $246,400.00/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.