Principal Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks

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

Principal Software Engineer (NGFW Platform)

As a member of the Platform Software group at Palo Alto Networks, you will participate in the design and development of diags/software of our Next-Generation Firewall platforms. Responsibilities will include platform bring-up diags (both pizza-box and chassis-based platforms), platform security using TPM chip, development of both kernel and use-space drivers, provisioning of third-party vendor switch/fabric and the overall development of consistent platform diags and software for all Next-Gen Firewall platforms.

As a Platform Software Engineer, you will be expected to participate in all phases of the product development cycle, from definition, design, implementation, test and field deployment. This includes developing diags, test cases, assessing task requirements and scheduling, and collaborating with cross-functional teams like Manufacturing, Ops, ASIC, Hardware, Software, and Quality assurance teams.

Your Impact:

• Work with various stakeholders from diags, product design, software development and QA organization on delivery of platforms.

• Innovate new product features based on customer, partner, and technical support engineer feedback.

• Proactively identify product features that will differentiate from the competition.

• Troubleshoot changes to the product to ensure high quality output of product design.

Your Experience:

• 10+ years experience in device drivers, platform software, hardware bring-up and support.

• Experience with Linux Kernel, DPDK, Platform and user-space drivers, FPGA, Firmware, PHY, Switch/Fabric SDK, Optics, Storage, POE controllers.

• Ability to go over different vendor specifications to get details on testing each components.

• Experience with fixed/chassis based appliances.

• Strong C coding/debugging skills.

• Strong scripting skills with bash and python.

• Experience with debugging Linux kernel performance, memory and platform boot-time issues.

• Experience with TPM, FIPS and CC Certifications is a plus.

• Ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with x86 and MIPS architecture is a plus.

• Related programming experience required.

The Team:

Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don’t shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before.

We define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of a challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

Qualifications

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.

$147,000.00 - $237,500.00/yr

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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.