Senior Staff Software Engineer (L7 Security)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Office-based with flexibility

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company, seeks engineers to design and develop security features for the next-generation firewalls in the Layer7 identity and inspection areas. You will collaborate with product management to translate user requirements into robust implementations and work across QA and support teams throughout the software development cycle.

The role emphasizes building scalable, secure software, with opportunities to mentor new team members and contribute to process

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience; MS/PhD preferred
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages
• In-depth knowledge of networking concepts, TCP/IP; TLS and L4-L7 protocols a plus
• Experience in developing and optimizing software for performance, scalability, and security
• Solid understanding of software development methodologies, version control, and agile practices
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Verbal and written communication skills for multi-functional teams; team player attitude
• Flair for coding in C/C++/GO

Responsibilities

• Design and develop security features for next-generation firewalls
• Work with product management on user requirements and functional design
• Code efficiently and robustly; collaborate with QA and field support across the SDLC
• Develop functional specs and assess task requirements and scheduling
• Identify performance bottlenecks and implement improvements

Skills

C/C++

TCP/IP

Go

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

B.S. in Computer Science

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

Git

CI/CD

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

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem‑solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Job Description

Your Career

We’re seeking innovators - engineers who seek to design new products, designing state‑of‑the‑art products that do not exist today. These engineers love to code with a drive to build global products and bring new ideas to develop security disciplines to solve real‑world problems. We are looking for leaders who take ownership of their areas of focus and who are driven to pursue problems at every level. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture and we need engineers who can communicate at a high level and work well with multi‑functional teams towards achieving a common goal.

As a key member of Layer‑7 Security group, you will be responsible for designing and developing security features on the next‑generation firewalls. You will work with product management on user requirements, apply your knowledge to functional design, utilize your programming skills for efficient and robust implementation, and interact with quality assurance and field support teams throughout the entire software development cycle.

Your Impact

• Innovate, design, and develop new security features in our next‑generation firewalls in the Layer7 identity and inspection areas.
• Develop functional specifications, assess task requirements and scheduling, and assist in development, debug and support
• Suggest and implement improvements to the development process
• Clearly communicate goals and desired outcomes to internal project teams - Interview, mentor and coach new team members
• Ident i fy performance bottlenecks and continuously implement improvements

Qualifications

Your Experience

• B.S. degree in Computer Science, similar technical discipline or equivalent practical experience, graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Computer Science or similar technical discipline is preferred or equivalent military experience

• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages.

• In-depth knowledge of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, and familiarity with security protocols such as TLS and L4-L7 protocols is a plus.

• Experience in developing and optimizing software for performance, scalability, and security.

• Solid understanding of software development methodologies, version control systems, and agile practices.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• Verbal and written communication skills to work with multi‑functional groups - a good team player who brings a can‑do attitude to a dynamic working environment

• Flair for coding in C/C++/GO.

Additional information

The Team

To stay ahead of the curve, it’s critical to know where the curve is, and how to anticipate the changes we’re facing. For the fastest growing cybersecurity company, the curve is the evolution of cyberattacks, and the products and services that proactively address them. Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. They are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. These engineers aren’t shy about creating products to solve problems no one has tackled before. They define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment

Our engineering team is provided with an unrivaled opportunity to build the products and practices that will support our company growth over the next decade, defining the cybersecurity industry as we know it. If you see the potential of how incredible people products can transform a business, this is the team for you. If you don’t wait for directions, instead, identifying new features and opportunities we have to just get better, this is your new career.

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/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $150,000.00 to $250,000.000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that 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

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Computer Science, similar technical discipline or equivalent practical experience, graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Computer Science or similar technical discipline is preferred or equivalent military experience

• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages.

• In-depth knowledge of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, and familiarity with security protocols such as TLS and L4-L7 protocols is a plus.

• Experience in developing and optimizing software for performance, scalability, and security.

• Solid understanding of software development methodologies, version control systems, and agile practices.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• Verbal and written communication skills to work with multi‑functional groups - a good team player who brings a can‑do attitude to a dynamic working environment

• Flair for coding in C/C++/GO.

Compensation Disclosure

$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