Principal Software Engineer (Cloud NGFW)
At a glance
Senior Engineering Leadership role at Paloaltonetworks. Santa Clara · full-time · $156,400–$253,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build scalable features for the next-generation firewall service and take responsibility for its end-to-end workflow
- Shape the development process for a first-version service and coordinate delivery across internal and external teams
- Identify project risks early, communicate them, and step in or mentor others to keep work moving
- Work with DevOps and technical support to investigate customer problems and improve their experience
- Create the service’s front end across platforms, and interview, mentor, and coach incoming teammates
What you bring
- At least eight years in software engineering, focused on cloud-native applications at a large organization or an innovative startup
- Strong distributed-systems programming ability in Python, Go, Java, or another listed language
- Experience with AI coding tools and cloud-native development on AWS, Azure, GCP, or another listed provider
- Knowledge of complex cloud networking and multi-cloud interconnects, plus distributed cloud application development
- A bachelor's or master's in computer science, engineering, or an equivalent qualification
Who this fits
This senior individual-leadership role suits an experienced engineer who can own technical work, collaborate across teams, and mentor colleagues. The position is based in Santa Clara, and the team generally works from the office full time, with flexibility when needed. Immigration sponsorship is available.
From the employer
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
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Software Engineer to design, develop and deliver next-generation cloud security service technologies within our Next Generation Firewall as a Service team. We want passionate engineers who love to architect and code world-class security services on Cloud Providers. We are looking for engineers who bring new ideas in all facets of software development. They are individual leaders who take ownership of their areas of focus and who are driven to solve problems at every level. Collaboration and teamwork are at the foundation of our culture and we need engineers who can communicate at a high level and work well with others towards achieving a common goal.
Key Responsibilities
Design, develop and implement highly scalable software features on our next-generation security platform as part of NextGen Firewall as a Service.
Ownership of end to end workflow for the expanding service.
Leadership opportunity to drive collaboration with internal/external cross-functional efforts to deliver best in quality software.
Open Engineering environment to suggest and improve the development process for a v1 service.
Proactively spot, articulate, and mitigate risks in ongoing and planned projects to ensure smooth execution and high output – this may include providing ad hoc mentorship, communicating with project stakeholders, or rolling up your sleeves and stepping in to help move things along.
Collaboratively work with DevOps and the Technical Support teams to troubleshoot customer issues and build better customer experiences.
Design and build the front end for the service across multiple platforms.
Interview, mentor and coach new team members as part of the growing team.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
8+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on cloud-native application development, at large organizations or innovative startups
Strong programming skills in one of Python, Go, or Java, with experience in building distributed systems
Experience with AI coding tools .
Experience with cloud-native service development stack on AWS, Azure, GCP or OCI
Experience with complex Cloud Networking Topologies and Multi-Cloud-Interconnect
Experience with cloud development (REST APIs, Databases, Serverless computing) of distributed cloud applications
Education: M.S./B.S. degree in Computer Science Engineering or equivalent
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.
$156,400.00 - $253,000.00/yrOur 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.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: Yes