Sr. Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an AI/ML Engineer to build advanced intelligent systems that safeguard cloud infrastructure and secure AI model implementations. You will operate at the intersection of machine learning, cloud security, and AI safety, deploying autonomous solutions that actively classify threats, tune models, and prevent adversarial attacks.

You will partner with product, security, and cloud teams to integrate ML solutions into production systems, optimize data classification, and

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, AI, ML, Statistics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 14+ years software engineering experience, with at least 3 years in ML, NLP, or AI systems.
• Proficiency in Python and hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow).
• Experience with LLMs/SLMs, prompt engineering, and model fine-tuning.
• Strong background in auto-classification and anomaly detection on large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable anomaly detection pipelines for cloud environments and AI agent actions.
• Lead SLM tuning initiatives for low-latency, accurate edge-cloud tasks.
• Drive data classification strategies using ML, NLP, and deep learning on large datasets.
• Collaborate with product, security, and cloud engineering teams to productionize ML solutions.

Skills

Python

Deep Learning

NLP

ML systems

Prompt engineering

Education

MS/PhD in CS/AI/ML/Statistics

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

DistilBERT

GCP

AWS

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.

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

As an AI/ML Engineer, you will be at the forefront of developing advanced intelligent systems that safeguard cloud infrastructure and secure AI model implementations. You will operate at the intersection of machine learning, cloud security, and AI safety, deploying autonomous solutions that actively classify threats, tune models, and prevent adversarial attacks. You will tackle complex real-world problems, develop novel algorithms, and deploy them into production at scale to ensure our customers can confidently deploy AI-driven innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop scalable anomaly detection pipelines to monitor cloud environments and AI agent actions, ensuring high efficacy with low false-positive and false-negative rates.
• Lead SLM (Small Language Model) tuning initiatives, optimizing and fine-tuning models for low-latency, highly accurate edge-cloud security tasks.
• Drive advanced data classification strategies, applying machine learning, NLP, and deep learning methods to massive structured and unstructured datasets to extract complex threat patterns.
• Be a technical leader who partners closely with product, security, and cloud engineering teams to integrate these ML solutions seamlessly into production systems.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: MS or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) with 14+ years of software engineering industry experience, including a minimum of 3 years dedicated to machine learning, NLP, or AI systems.
• Programming & Frameworks: Deep programming expertise in Python and strong hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Large/Small Language Models: Proven experience working directly with LLMs/SLMs, advanced prompt engineering, and model fine-tuning techniques.
• Core ML Systems: Strong, demonstrated background in building and scaling auto-classification and anomaly detection models on massive, real-world datasets.

Additional Experience

• Adversarial & Model Safety: Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and AI safety vulnerabilities (e.g., prompt injection defense, AI red-teaming, model security).
• Models & Frameworks: Familiarity with DistilBERT and other open-source classification models.
• Graph Architectures: Familiarity with large, graph-based datasets and processing techniques.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Experience with distributed cloud systems (GCP or AWS) and deploying scalable ML inference pipelines at scale.

The Team

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time (3 days a week at our Santa Clara headquarters), with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

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-commissioned 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.

$183,600.00 - $297,000.00/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