Principal Engineer Software

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 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

You will be responsible for the design, development, and testing of scalable, distributed management plane infrastructure software and features. This software serves as the core operating system for all of Palo Alto Networks' next-generation network and cloud security solutions, placing you at the heart of our innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial conceptualization and architecture through to implementation and final deployment.
• Collaborate proactively with team members to develop and implement next-generation software architecture for our security platforms, ensuring alignment on technical direction.
• Innovate, scope, and deliver new management features by translating feedback from customers, partners, and technical support into actionable product enhancements.
• Design and develop highly scalable management infrastructure software for managing devices in hybrid (on-premise and cloud) deployments.
• Take ownership of feature development, working closely with product management, development, and quality assurance groups in a fast-paced, execution-focused environment.
• Engage seamlessly with Cloud Services and on-premise engineering teams to deliver state-of-the-art, integrated security solutions and infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in the product to ensure a high-quality output and stable product design.

• MS/BS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Proven experience developing on a Linux platform.
• Expert-level programming skills in C/C++, Python, or Go.
• Fundamental experience in network and/or security appliance/solution development.
• Demonstrated ability to independently architect and deliver large, complex software solutions.

• Experience with Shell scripting.
• Experience with large-scale management infrastructure in a distributed, high-availability environment.
• Deep knowledge of distributed systems, concurrent application development, and Linux operating systems.
• Experience with authentication protocols (e.g., RADIUS, LDAP, Kerberos, SAML) and integration with Layer 7 proxies like Envoy.
• Strong understanding of the HTTPS protocol and experience with packet debugging tools like tcpdump and Wireshark.