Senior Staff Engineer Software (XSOAR)

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer for the Cortex backend group, focusing on Cortex XSOAR, XSIAM, and the AI-powered Cortex solution. You will design and maintain robust backend services, with strong Go and Python skills, to accelerate security operations for thousands of customers.

Join a fast-paced team that values proactive problem solving, scalable architecture, and production-grade delivery across on-prem and SaaS deployments, while advancing AI-driven capabilities

Qualifications

• MS/BS in CS or equivalent with 5+ years of server-side software experience.
• 5+ years of software engineering experience, with 4+ years in Go and Python.
• Production troubleshooting for on-prem and SaaS products.
• Experience with cloud platforms (GCP/AWS/Azure).
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and Linux environments.
• Familiarity with AI tooling and AI-focused development.
• Understanding of distributed computing concepts (CAP, leader election).

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle backend development for Cortex XSOAR and Cortex SaaS/on-prem.
• Collaborate across teams to shape scalable backend solutions.
• Provide real-time mitigations and production support.
• Engage with customers and support teams to troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Go programming

Python programming

Cloud platforms

Kubernetes

Docker

Linux/Unix

AI tools

Distributed computing

Production troubleshooting

Customer engagement

Education

MS/BS in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

SQL/NoSQL databases

Job description

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.

Job Summary

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.

Required Qualifications

• M.S/B.S degree in Computer Science or equivalent and 5+ years of software engineering experience, including development of a scalable server-side application
• 4 + years of extensive hands-on programming skills in Go and Python
• Experience with production troubleshooting and customer response with both on-prem and SaaS products
• Proven Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. GCP / AWS / Azure)
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker
• Advanced proficiency in Linux/Unix operating systems (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu) command line, system diagnostics, networking and shell scripting
• Working with AI tools and developing tools to ease work
• Experience with distributed computing (understand implications of CAP theorem, master election, brain split problem)

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)