Staff Engineer Software — SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) team within Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex organization.

You will build scalable, reliable, and secure backend services that help organizations gain visibility into their SaaS environments and protect critical business applications. In this role, you will own features from design through production, collaborate with global engineering teams, and solve challenging problems across

Qualifications

• Production backend software experience with ownership of major features.
• Proficiency in Go, Java, or Python; willing to learn new tech.
• Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems fundamentals.
• Experience with API design and database technologies.
• Ability to break down problems and deliver maintainable solutions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services and microservices powering SSPM.
• Own feature delivery from design to production.
• Build services that collect, process, and analyze data across enterprise SaaS apps.
• Develop APIs, integrations, and data models for new product capabilities.
• Contribute to design discussions on scalability and performance.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineering partners to translate requirements.
• Troubleshoot production issues and improve reliability and observability.
• Participate in code and design reviews.

Skills

Go

Java

Python

Distributed systems

Backend development

API design

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

GCP/AWS/Azure

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

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) team within Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex organization. You will build scalable, reliable, and secure backend services that help organizations gain visibility into their SaaS environments and protect critical business applications.

In this role, you will own features from design through production, collaborate with global engineering teams, and solve challenging problems across distributed systems, data processing, and SaaS integrations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services and microservices that power SSPM capabilities.
• Own the delivery of features, including technical design, implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing operation.
• Build services that collect, process, and analyze data across enterprise SaaS applications.
• Develop reliable APIs, integrations, and data models that support new product capabilities.
• Contribute to technical design discussions and make practical decisions around scalability, performance, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineering partners to translate requirements into working solutions.
• Troubleshoot production issues and improve service reliability, observability, and performance.
• Participate in code and design reviews, share knowledge, and support engineering best practices.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience building and delivering production backend software, with ownership of substantial features or services.
• Proficiency in a backend programming language such as Go, Java, or Python, and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Strong understanding of software design, data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems fundamentals.
• Experience with API design, data modeling, and database technologies.
• Ability to break down technical problems, evaluate tradeoffs, and deliver maintainable solutions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing microservices, event-driven systems, or data processing pipelines.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as GCP, AWS, or Azure.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, message queues, or caching technologies.
• Experience integrating with third‑party SaaS APIs.
• Familiarity with SaaS security, cloud security, or security posture management.

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.

$111,500.00 - $180,400.00/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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.