Mechanical/Product Design Sr Manager (Hardware)

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.

Your Career

The Mechanical Design Manager will be responsible for overseeing the mechanical design team, ensuring the successful execution of projects from early concept through production. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and a passion for creating high-quality, innovative products.

Your Impact

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of mechanical and thermal design engineers.
• Oversee the entire mechanical design lifecycle, from concept generation to detailed design, prototyping, testing, production release and sustaining.
• Develop and implement best practices for mechanical design processes and methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical engineering, software, manufacturing, compliance and product management to ensure seamless integration and product success.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, ensuring they meet technical specifications, quality standards, cost targets and project timelines.
• Create and maintain project schedules weekly, resources, and budgets for mechanical design activities.
• Strong understanding of the overall product development process.
• Identify and implement new technologies and tools to enhance design capabilities and efficiency.
• Conduct weekly one on one with direct reports, mid-year & year end performance reviews. Review individual concerns and career development opportunities as well as individual resource loading across multiple programs.
• Strong understanding of thermal requirements, solutions, architecture, testing and validation. Should also identify future technologies and develop a roadmap for implementation.
• Good understanding of the product compliance system requirements with relevant industry test standards.
• Good understanding of product characterization testing. Capable of determining test setup and both non-operational vibration and shock test limits to ensure product quality
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical guidance and problem-solving expertise.
• Participate in providing early on guidance to Ops Mechanical Supply Chain Management (e.g., sheet metal, plastic, die cast, fans, heat sinks, cables, overlays etc...)
• Influence overall team collaboration.

Your Experience

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering preferred.
• Minimum of 10 plus years of experience in system design.
• Minimum 7 plus years of experience of people management skills preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully leading mechanical design teams and delivering high quality low cost complex design solutions.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks and PDM).
• Expertise in DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles.
• Strong understanding of part manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, machining).
• Strong understanding of estimated mechanical enclosure parts & hard tooling cost.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to scale the team and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks and resources effectively.
• Problem-solving mindset with a strong attention to resolution.
• Excellent understanding of the entire thermal development process (e.g., feasibility, simulations, system thermal profiling and fan policy).
• Desired Skills
• Experience in the networking and mobile product development
• Familiarity with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems
• Strong experience with rapid prototyping techniques.

The Team

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.

Why Palo Alto Networks?

• Develop NPI hardware in a creative and innovative environment
• Imagine new opportunities in areas that matter and will impact the world you live in
• Be a part of a high performing team of the world's best cybersecurity companies
• FLEXwork arrangements to support you in working in the way that you work best

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 $220000 - $300000/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 accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

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.

Client-provided location(s): Santa Clara, CA

Job ID: Palo_Alto_Networks-JR-009212

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2025-09-10T19:59:28