Senior Staff Engineer Software (Cortex XSOAR)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. seeks a Principal Backend Engineer for the Cortex backend group, focused on Cortex XSOAR, XSOI AM, and Cortex AI solutions.

You’ll design and maintain robust backend services with Go and Python, in a high‑performance security platform, deployed on public cloud, across on‑prem and SaaS environments. You will work on distributed systems, scale data processing, and contribute to AI‑driven Cortex capabilities, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and customers to

Qualifications

• Education: BS/MS in CS or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience building scalable server-side applications.
• 4+ years of Go and Python programming.
• 5+ years of experience with distributed cloud products on major platforms (GCP/AWS/Azure) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong Linux/Unix, RDBMS/NoSQL proficiency.
• Understanding of CAP theorem, master election, split-brain problems.
• Experience with production troubleshooting and customer support.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle backend features for Cortex XSOAR on-prem and SaaS.
• Collaborate across teams to shape solutions and integrate with product.
• Provide real-time mitigation and production issue resolution.
• Engage with customers and support teams to troubleshoot issues.

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

The Team

Cortex Platform - Cortex is the industry's only open and integrated, AI‑based, continuous security platform. Cortex is a significant evolution of the Application Framework designed to simplify security operations and considerably improve outcomes. Deployed on a global, scalable public cloud platform, Cortex allows security operations teams to speed the analysis of massive data sets.

The Opportunity

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer to become a vital part of our Cortex backend engineering group, primarily focusing on the development and maintenance of our Cortex products, including Cortex XSOAR, Cortex XSIAM, and the new Cortex AI solution. Our team operates with high efficiency and swift decision‑making processes.

In this role, you will design and implement robust backend services for Cortex XSOAR, a leading‑edge security orchestration, automation, and response platform. This position requires a solid background in software engineering, with proficiency in Go and Python, and a keen interest in tackling complex technical challenges within the cybersecurity sphere. As a member of our dynamic team, you will also contribute to creating innovative AI‑based solutions leveraging the Cortex product line, enhancing shared Cortex infrastructures and components. We value candidates who are proactive, passionate about problem‑solving, and committed to delivering substantial impact to thousands of customers. This role is an exceptional opportunity for those eager to advance Cortex XSOAR with AI‑driven capabilities and make a significant mark in the cybersecurity industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle development of backend features for Cortex XSOAR on‑prem and SaaS (security orchestration platform): from requirements gathering, architecture/design, implementation, testing, deployment, through to production support and maintenance.
• Work closely with peers across different teams and disciplines to shape solutions and integrate with other parts of the product. Working on “shared responsibility” type of products.
• Production‑oriented approach, providing real‑time mitigation and solutions to production issues.
• Engage with customers and support teams to help troubleshoot and fix issues.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: B.S. or M.S. degree in Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience building scalable server‑side applications.
• Programming Expertise: 4+ years of extensive, hands‑on programming proficiency in Go and Python.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: 5+ years of proven experience designing and working with distributed cloud products on major platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure), as well as containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Systems & Databases: Advanced proficiency in Linux/Unix operating systems (command line, networking, shell scripting) and solid experience with both RDBMS and NoSQL database technologies.
• Distributed Computing: Strong understanding of distributed computing environments, including the implications of the CAP theorem, master election, and split‑brain problems.
• Operational Excellence: Proven experience with production troubleshooting and customer response.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong computer science fundamentals (e.g. understanding of lock‑free data structures, bloom filters, minimal perfect hashing, consistent hashing etc)
• Hands‑on experience with SQL/NoSQL based databases
• Experience with distributed computing (understand implications of CAP theorem, master election, brain split problem)

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.

$134,600.00 - $217,800.00/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?: Yes