Principal/Senior Security Researcher - Windows EDR (Cortex - XDR)

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 looking for a Security Researcher to join our Windows EDR behavioral detection team. You will create statistics-based classification algorithms to detect new malware, process behavior anomalies, and attackers in enterprise networks using data from multiple Windows endpoints. This involves analyzing attack patterns, finding statistical anomalies, and validating detections against real attacks and APTs on customer data.

Key Responsibilities

• Research new methods to detect various attack techniques by utilizing enormous amounts and varied types of data.
• Use and develop statistical algorithms and techniques to create and improve our analytics detection capabilities.
• Take an active role in our collection modules by improving existing ones and investigating new ones to improve detection quality.
• Simulate attacks in the lab and conduct a deep analysis of the behavior.
• Be part of a diverse research group, improving our research processes to create a better product.
• Stay up to date with APTs, attacker methodologies, and TTPs.

• In-depth knowledge of the inner-workings of operating systems (Especially Windows).
• Intimate knowledge and understanding of attack methods and techniques over endpoints and enterprise networks.
• Vast experience and interest in malware research or development.
• Python software development experience.
• Comfortable conducting research and gathering insights by querying large databases.
• Ability to drive and own projects.
• Independent and team player, critical thinker.

• Experience in machine learning or data analysis.
• Reverse engineering knowledge and experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft AD infrastructure.
• Exploitation knowledge and experience.