Technical Trainer, Cortex

Palo Alto Networks; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a technically masterful Technical Trainer, Cortex, to join our Santa Clara headquarters. You will lead advanced Cortex workshops and spearhead onboarding bootcamps while developing AI-enabled tools to scale learning globally.

This role combines hands-on teaching with player/coach mentoring, offering career growth into advanced architecture or leadership within our technical enablement group.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience delivering technical courseware or equivalent hands-on experience in the cybersecurity industry.
• Hands-on expertise with SIEM, SOAR, and XDR platforms— with deep knowledge of the Palo Alto Networks Cortex stack strongly preferred.
• AI Tool Development & Prototyping: Hands-on experience building, prompt-engineering, or prototyping AI/LLM-powered workflows (e.g., custom GPTs, API integrations, or automated scripts) to solve learning or operational challenges.
• Data & Reporting Skills: Demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, and present tool adoption, engagement, and performance metrics to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Command of the classroom: Proven understanding of adult learning principles and a captivating, interactive delivery style.
• Location & Mobility: Must be based out of the Palo Alto Networks HQ in Santa Clara, CA, with the ability to travel up to 30% annually.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Advanced Cortex workshops and advanced whiteboarding sessions for global internal and external audiences.
• Own the classroom execution of technical bootcamps for new hires, turning them into field-ready security professionals.
• Develop AI-driven enablement tools to scale learning efficiency and personalize onboarding.
• Measure AI efficacy by tracking adoption, accuracy, and performance metrics across platforms.
• Engage with stakeholders to defend the strategic impact and business outcomes of onboarding and workshop programs.
• Maintain labs and Demostack simulations for reliable delivery.
• Scale instructor readiness by leading Train-the-Trainer programs and supporting Authorized Training Partners.
• Collaborate with content teams to refine courseware and certification paths.

Skills

Technical training

Adult learning principles

Public speaking

Data & reporting

Scripting & automation

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or Cybersecurity

Tools

Cortex XSIAM

Cortex XSOAR

Cortex XDR

Demostack

Python

REST APIs

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

Palo Alto Networks is looking for a technically masterful Technical Trainer, Cortex to join our team at our Santa Clara headquarters. This isn’t your average "slide-reading" instructor role. You will be the face of our premier technical enablement organization, primarily focused on delivering advanced Cortex workshops (covering XSIAM, XSOAR, and XDR) and spearheading our technical new hire onboarding bootcamps. In this role, you will be at the forefront of educational innovation, actively developing, prototyping, and deploying internal AI enablement tools to scale learning efficiency across our global program. This role is designed for a cybersecurity professional who thrives in a 'player/coach' dynamic—someone who loves staying hands‑on delivering advanced Cortex workshops and building AI tools (the player), while taking an active role in mentoring, onboarding, and elevating future Technical Training Engineers as the team grows (the coach). Because you'll be embedded at headquarters, you will have a front-row seat to product updates and ample opportunity for career growth into advanced architecture, content design, or technical leadership roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Advanced Workshops: Lead high-impact, expert-level Cortex workshops and advanced whiteboarding sessions for global internal and external audiences.
• Drive New Hire Onboarding: Own the classroom execution of technical bootcamps, transforming new hires into field-ready security professionals.
• Develop AI-Driven Enablement Tools: Build, prototype, and refine internal AI-driven tools—such as automated lab grading agents, custom LLM-based roleplay simulators, and interactive classroom assistants—to scale and personalize the onboarding experience.
• Measure & Report AI Efficacy: Track, analyze, and report on the adoption, accuracy, and performance metrics of our AI enablement platforms, providing leadership with data-driven insights on how AI tool usage correlates with field readiness and accelerated onboarding.
• Engage & Champion Enablement Programs: Actively collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and leadership to confidently present, justify, and defend the strategic impact, metrics, and business outcomes of your onboarding and advanced workshop programs.
• Maintain Lab Excellence: Ensure the seamless availability, functionality, and rigorous quality assurance of all labs and Demostack simulations before delivery.
• Scale Instructor & Peer Readiness: Function as a player/coach by onboarding, leading internal Train-the-Trainer programs, and driving readiness for Authorized Training Partners.
• Collaborate on Content: Partner closely with Technical Enablement Architects to provide field feedback, helping optimize technical courseware, lab designs, and certification paths.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience delivering technical courseware or equivalent hands-on experience in the cybersecurity industry.
• Hands-on expertise with SIEM, SOAR, and XDR platforms— with deep knowledge of the Palo Alto Networks Cortex stack strongly preferred.
• AI Tool Development & Prototyping: Hands-on experience building, prompt-engineering, or prototyping AI/LLM-powered workflows (e.g., custom GPTs, API integrations, or automated scripts) to solve learning or operational challenges.
• Data & Reporting Skills: Demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, and present tool adoption, engagement, and performance metrics to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Command of the classroom: Proven understanding of adult learning principles and a captivating, interactive delivery style.
• Location & Mobility: Must be based out of the Palo Alto Networks HQ in Santa Clara, CA, with the ability to travel up to 30% annually.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active certifications in Cortex XSIAM, XSOAR, or XDR.
• Experience with Demostack or similar environment simulation tools.
• Strong scripting and automation skills (Python, REST APIs, LangChain, or similar frameworks) used to build automated workflows or connect AI services.
• Background in SOC Operations, incident response, or security analytics.
• Experience acting as a lead, peer coach, or player/coach—mentoring, onboarding, or guiding incoming technical trainers or enablement engineers.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline.

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.

$116,000.00 - $187,000.00/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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.