Principal Engineer Software

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

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Description

Job SummaryAs a Principal Engineer in our SASE group, you will be a key leader in designing, developing, and delivering next-generation technologies for our SD-WAN team. You will be part of a world-class engineering team working on groundbreaking technologies, solving interesting and complex problems. We are seeking a passionate leader who takes ownership, brings new ideas to all facets of software development, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop, and implement highly scalable software features for our SD-WAN solution.Architect and implement large-scale distributed systems, ensuring high availability and performance.Lead database design and implementation for custom use cases, including graph, time-series, and in-memory databases.Proactively collaborate with development and quality assurance teams to achieve the best product quality and ensure alignment.Work closely with DevOps and Technical Support teams to troubleshoot and resolve complex customer issues.Suggest and implement improvements to the software development lifecycle and team processes.Mentor and coach junior team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and applied learning.

Qualifications (Additional Job Description)

Required QualificationsM.E./B.E. degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience.9+ years of professional software development experience.Extensive hands-on programming skills in C/C++, Python, and Go.Expertise in control plane, data plane, and security features of SD-WAN platforms, including knowledge of multi-core/multi-process programming.Deep knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking and routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, IPSec, QoS, and NAT.Preferred QualificationsExperience with DPDK for high-performance network packet processing.Familiarity with machine learning concepts and their application.Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCE, Kubernetes) and virtualization technologies (ESXi, KVM, Hyper-V).Knowledge of application layer protocols (e.g., HTTP, SMTP, SIP) and TLS/SSL internals.

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 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.