Principal Engineer Software (Cortex Cloud)

Your Career

Forge the Future of Cloud Security

Do you thrive on solving monumental engineering challenges at massive scale Are you ready to architect the foundational cloud security platform that protects the worlds largest enterprises

Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud is one of the fastest-growing business units in cybersecurity and we are looking for a Principal Backend Engineer to anchor our Cortex backend engineering group.

Youll be a security pioneer designing and scaling the core backend infrastructure for the Cortex Cloud Platform. Your work will directly impact the security posture of thousands of customers across AWS Azure and GCP. This isnt just a roleits your chance to own projects and architecture that define the future of cloud defense.

Your Impact

Your Mission : The Principal Impact

As a technical leader youll be the driving force behind high-impact projects moving them from initial concept to full-scale deployment.

Own the Architecture : Lead the design and implementation of large-scale resilient distributed systems.

Drive Execution : Serve as the project lead aligning key stakeholdersfrom Product Management and UX to fellow engineering teamsto ensure seamless timely delivery.

Cross-Functional Mastery : Act as a technical consultant and collaborator across team boundaries proactively identifying and mitigating risks in design and execution.

Data at Scale : Design build and optimize data models and high-performance queries using cutting-edge technologies like MySQL and BigQuery to handle massive data throughput.

Mentor and Elevate : Actively mentor and guide engineers across the department raising the bar for engineering excellence and best practices.

Qualifications : Your Experience

What Youll Bring : The Core Experience

You are a seasoned engineer who lives and breathes cloud-native development and is ready to step into a Principal role.

7 years of progressive software engineering experience with a heavy focus on developing cloud-native applications at scale.

Expert-level programming skills in at least one of : Python Go or Java.

Deep practical experience in distributed systems architecture and microservices.

Proven ability to build and deliver high-volume services leveraging technologies like ElasticSearch Pub / Sub REST APIs and Serverless computing.

Exceptional troubleshooting abilities and a can-do attitude when faced with complex ambiguous problems.

A strong understanding of public cloud design considerations (security networking load balancing) and the limitations of building services at a global scale.

Experience acting as a hands-on tech lead or architect making data-driven trade-off judgments.

Additional Information :

The Team & Our Commitment

The Team : The Cortex Cloud Team is the most foundational team within Palo Alto Networks. Our goal is to unify the experience across PANW Business Units making us the core integration point for all future innovation. This is where you get to build a platform that could eventually power the entire company.

Compensation Disclosure : The expected starting base salary for this Principal-level role is between $147000 / YR - $237500 / YR depending on qualifications and location. The compensation package also includes restricted stock units (RSUs) and a bonus.

We are a team of problem-solvers who challenge the cybersecurity status quo. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace and believe we cant accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating together.

Our Commitment

Were problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecuritys status quo. Its simple : we cant 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   .

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.

Remote Work : No

Employment Type : Full-time

Key Skills

Continuous Integration,Docker,Jenkins,Python,System Design,Agile,C / C++,Go,Systems Engineering,Software Development,Java,Distributed Systems

Department / Functional Area : Engineering

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1