Sr Staff Security Researcher (Wildfire)

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits program

Mental and financial health resources

Personalized learning opportunities

Job summary

A leading cybersecurity firm in California seeks a Security Research Engineer to drive machine learning projects for threat detection. The role requires expertise in malware reverse engineering, software development, and innovative security solutions leveraging AI. Ideal candidates have a strong background in cybersecurity, with 4+ years in a research or engineering role. The position offers competitive compensation and emphasizes collaboration within the team.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in a research or engineering role.
• Demonstrated experience leading machine learning projects in the malware domain.
• Strong understanding of model development and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Lead machine learning projects for threat detection.
• Develop intelligent agents to automate threat hunting.
• Contribute to the security community through research publications.

Skills

Machine learning projects

Malware reverse engineering

Software development lifecycle

Programming (Python, Go, C++)

Threat landscape understanding

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or Cybersecurity

Tools

Python

C++

Job description

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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.

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 are seeking a security research engineer to join our pioneering security team. This role is for a technical expert passionate about deconstructing complex threats and building the next generation detection systems. You will be responsible for leading our efforts in threat research, which demands a deep background in malware reverse engineering. You will also spearhead the design and implementation of innovative security solutions using generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and agentic systems to automate and scale our detection and analysis capabilities, keeping us ahead of sophisticated adversaries.

Your Impact

• AI-Driven Detection & Automation: Lead end-to-end machine learning projects for threat detection. This encompasses defining the model architecture, sourcing and preparing data, building and managing training pipelines, deploying models into production, and monitoring their performance. Design, build, and deploy innovative security solutions leveraging Generative AI and agentic systems. Develop intelligent agents and workflows to automate threat hunting, accelerate malware analysis, and streamline threat intelligence processes.
  
  

• Research & Publication: Disseminate cutting-edge research findings and contribute to the security community by publishing results in technical blogs, industry white papers, and academic papers, particularly on topics related to malware analysis and AI for security.
  
  

• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including other security services: threat prevention, internet security and IoT security, endpoint security to integrate and deliver sustainable and quality coverage and defense.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications

Your Experience

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  
  

• 4+ years of experience in a research or engineering role, demonstrated experience in leading machine learning projects in malware domain or detection systems, including a strong understanding of model development, data preprocessing, and deployment.
  
  

• Proven experience in the complete software development lifecycle, with proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, Go, C++).
  
  

• Strong experience in reverse engineering, system security, threat research, malware/code analysis or vulnerability research is a big plus
  
  

• A proven track of top tier publications in cybersecurity related areas is a big plus.
  
  

• Demonstrated experience in leading machine learning projects, including a strong understanding of model development, data preprocessing, and deployment is a plus
  
  

• Solid understanding of the threat landscape, including common attack vectors, malware techniques, and threat actor tactics is a plus.
  
  
  
  

Additional Information

The Team

Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don’t shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before. We define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of a challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

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 $136000/YR - $219000/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

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Industries

  Computer and Network Security

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