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About the Role

This strategic role involves leading the design and development of next-generation Layer 7 security capabilities for systems operating at massive scale, protecting mission-critical infrastructure worldwide. Responsibilities include defining architecture, influencing product direction, and developing security technologies to address evolving threats. The role requires deep expertise in systems programming, networking, distributed systems, and a proven track record of delivering high-performance, production-grade software.

Responsibilities

Lead architecture, design, and development of advanced Layer 7 security capabilities within next-generation firewall platforms.
Drive development of highly scalable, real-time, distributed cloud security systems.
Define and implement robust, high-performance, and maintainable system architectures.
Set technical direction for critical components, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.
Partner with product management, security research, and platform teams to translate complex requirements into executable designs.
Lead end-to-end execution across the software development lifecycle, from concept through deployment and sustainment.
Establish and enforce engineering best practices, including code quality, performance optimization, and secure development.
Mentor senior and junior engineers, elevating the technical capabilities of the organization.
Identify architectural, tooling, and process gaps, driving organizational improvements.
Serve as a technical authority for debugging, performance tuning, and complex system challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related technical field, or equivalent practical/military experience.
12+ years of professional software engineering experience, including significant time in senior technical leadership roles.
Expert-level proficiency in C and strong proficiency in Go.
Extensive experience developing in Unix/Linux environments.
Proven experience designing and building large-scale, high-performance distributed systems.
Deep expertise in networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP internals and network security technologies.
Advanced experience with multi-threaded, multi-process, and multi-core system design.
Strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and systems-level performance optimization.
Demonstrated ability to lead architecture and deliver complex, cross-functional initiatives.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

C
Go
Unix/Linux
Large-scale distributed systems design
High-performance distributed systems
Networking fundamentals
TCP/IP internals
Network security technologies
Multi-threaded system design
Multi-process system design
Multi-core system design
Data structures
Algorithms
Systems-level performance optimization
Architecture leadership
Cross-functional initiative delivery
Communication
Cloud platforms
Orchestration systems
Containerized deployments
TLS/SSL internals
Cryptography
OpenSSL
HTTP protocols
Backend service development
Python
Tooling
Automation
System integration

Work Type

Full-time
Onsite (with flexibility)

Experience Level

12+ years of professional software engineering experience
Senior technical leadership roles

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related technical field
Master’s degree in Computer Science or related technical field
Ph.D. in Computer Science or related technical field
Equivalent practical/military experience

Salary/Compensations

$170,000.00 - $277,000.00/yr

About the Company

Palo Alto Networks' mission is to protect our digital way of life.
The company thrives on innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking.
Values include Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion.
AI is woven into the fabric of everything the company does to augment individual impact.
The engineering team is central to preventing cyberattacks, constantly innovating and defining the cybersecurity industry.
Engineers are encouraged to build products for unprecedented problems and are comfortable with ambiguity and challenges.

Equal Opportunity

Committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability.
Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer.
Celebrates diversity in the workplace.
All qualified applicants 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 information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.