Senior Staff Security Architect (Information Security) - Bay Area

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

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Senior Staff Security Architect to serve as the technical authority for our multi-cloud security strategy, defining the architectural 'North Star' for our cloud-native platforms to ensure they are secure by design.

In this high-impact, 'player-coach' role, you will drive complex threat modeling, steer architectural direction across GCP, AWS, Azure, and OCI, and partner with engineering leadership to embed security deep within our next-generation products.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of security engineering/architecture experience.
• Hands-on architectural expertise in at least one major public cloud (GCP, AWS, Azure, OCI).
• Experience with modern Secure-by-Design, Privacy-by-Design, and Zero Trust principles.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain security architecture patterns across multi-cloud environments (GCP, AWS, Azure, OCI, SAP).
• Lead secure, scalable, and resilient system designs championing Security by Design, IAM, and data protection.
• Drive Zero Trust implementation across dev and production SaaS platforms.
• Own threat modeling methodology, facilitation of deep-dive sessions for features to identify attack vectors.
• Translate architectural risks into actionable Cybersecurity Risk Register items and communicate business impact.
• Advise product teams on architecting with CWPP, CSPM, and NGFW to withstand modern threats.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and mentorship to staff/senior engineers.
• Lead cross-functional Tiger Teams through complex security implementations.

Skills

Multi-cloud security

Threat modeling

CI/CD security

Python/Go scripting

Security architecture

Tools

CWPP

CSPM

NGFW

IAM

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

Information Security - We’re not your ordinary Information Security team. We’re a diverse group of security professionals who challenge the status quo in order to protect Palo Alto Networks and our customers. Driving innovation on the Information Security team of the fastest-growing high-tech cybersecurity company is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll be joined by the brightest minds in technology, and our global teams are on the front line of defense against cyberattacks.

The Team

Information Security - We’re not your ordinary Information Security team. We’re a diverse group of security professionals who challenge the status quo in order to protect Palo Alto Networks and our customers. Driving innovation on the Information Security team of the fastest-growing high-tech cybersecurity company is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll be joined by the brightest minds in technology, and our global teams are on the front line of defense against cyberattacks.

Job Summary

As a Senior Staff Security Architect, you will serve as the technical authority for our multi-cloud security strategy, defining the architectural 'North Star' for our cloud-native platforms to ensure they are secure by design. In this high-impact, 'player-coach' role, you will drive complex threat modeling, steer the architectural direction across GCP, AWS, Azure, and OCI, and partner with engineering leadership to embed security deep within our next-generation products.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the authoritative security architecture patterns for services across multi-cloud environments, including GCP, AWS, Azure, OCI, and SAP.
• Lead the design of secure, scalable, and resilient systems by championing 'Security by Design' principles such as isolation, identity management (IAM), and data protection.
• Drive the architectural strategy and implementation of Zero Trust principles across development environments and production SaaS platforms.
• Own the organization's threat modeling methodology, facilitating deep-dive sessions for critical features to identify attack vectors in complex distributed systems.
• Translate architectural risks into actionable items for the Cybersecurity Risk Register, effectively communicating the business impact to leadership.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on security products (CWPP, CSPM, NGFW), advising product teams on architecting solutions to withstand modern adversary TTPs.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and mentorship to Staff and Senior security engineers, fostering a culture of engineering excellence and proactive security.
• Lead cross-functional 'Tiger Teams' through complex security implementations, acting as the bridge between Developer, Product Engineering, and InfoSec teams.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in security engineering and/or security architecture.
• Deep, hands-on architectural expertise in at least one major public cloud provider (GCP, AWS, Azure, OCI, or SAP) with a strong working knowledge of the others.
• Demonstrated sophisticated, deep knowledge and hands-on experience with modern Secure-by-Design, Privacy-by-Design, and Zero Trust principles and practices.
• Proven track record of executing complex threat models (e.g., STRIDE, PASTA, DREAD) for microservices and serverless architectures.
• Proficiency with a scripting language such as Python or Go and experience securing CI/CD pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing AI/ML ecosystems, with a deep understanding of adversarial machine learning attacks and defenses for Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Deep understanding of the security vendor landscape, with experience designing or using CSPM, CWPP, or Container Security platforms.
• Exceptional ability to communicate technical risk to executive audiences and negotiate architectural trade-offs with product owners.
• Experience with well-architected frameworks (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their security pillars.

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 (https://benefits.paloaltonetworks.com/).

$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?: Yes