Principal Software Engineer (Layer 7 Security)

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we're looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

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 Description

Your Career

In the Layer-7 Security Software team, we are responsible for at least one, often two to three headline features in every PANOS release. Our code reaches many product lines in the company, and is the critical part of delivering the highest revenue licenses the company offers. Our core Application Identification and Content Inspection Engine runs on Hardware, Virtualized, Container and Cloud-delivered firewalls. Any features that require the inspection or extraction of layer-7 network payload depends on our engine. We are also developing the latest Cloud-delivered Layer-7 security infrastructure. We design and develop key innovative security features such as the industry first Machine Learning powered NGFW, Credential Phishing prevention, URL-filtering, Cloud-delivered Data leak protection (DLP), and many more exciting features.

Are you looking to tackle a variety of challenging problems across the network, firewall, and Cloud platforms with a team of collaborative and experienced software engineers? Are you eager to expand to and innovate in the latest security platforms and delivery technologies in the industry? Would you like to be part of a fast moving and engaging team that executes and delivers cutting edge features like a start-up but with the support of an established leading security company?

We're seeking innovators - engineers who seek to design new products, designing state-of-the-art products that do not exist today. These engineers love to code with a drive to build global products and bring new ideas to develop security disciplines to solve real-world problems. We are looking for leaders who take ownership of their areas of focus and who are driven to pursue problems at every level. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture and we need engineers who can communicate at a high level and work well with multi-functional teams towards achieving a common goal.

As a key member of Layer-7 Security group, you will be responsible for designing and developing GlobalProtect, one of the best and most popular secure network connection applications, and other security features on the next-generation firewalls. You will work with product management on user requirements, apply your knowledge to functional design, utilize your programming skills for efficient and robust implementation, and interact with quality assurance and field support teams throughout the entire software development cycle.

Your Impact

• Innovate, design, develop and improve the Next-Generation Firewall in terms of functionality and performance, working on GlobalProtect
• Own and be responsible for critical components in the Next-Generation Firewall system
• Deliver features and improvements in critical components in high quality and performance
• As an expert on networking and security, work closely with team members and cross-team to design and architect innovative solutions

Qualifications

Your Experience

• B.S. degree in Computer Science, similar technical discipline or equivalent practical experience, Graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Computer Science or similar technical discipline is preferred or equivalent military experience required
• Proficient in C programming under Linux development environment
• Experience with multi-threaded programming and large-scale, distributed, and/or high-performance software design and architect
• Verbal and written communication skills to work with multi-functional groups
• Teammate who brings a can-do attitude to a dynamic working environment and is comfortable learning new technologies and platforms
• Experience with HTTP and web server backend development
• Experience with networking development, eg. TCP/UDP, Socket programming
• Experience with Redis, SQL or NoSQL database
• Experience with Go programming

Additional Information

The Team

To stay ahead of the curve, it's critical to know where the curve is, and how to anticipate the changes we're facing. For the fastest growing cybersecurity company, the curve is the evolution of cyberattacks, and the products and services that proactively address them. Our engineering team is at the core of our products - connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. They are constantly innovating - challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. These engineers aren't shy about building products to solve problems no one has pursued before. They define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

Our engineering team is provided with an unrivaled chance to create the products and practices that will support our company growth over the next decade, defining the cybersecurity industry as we know it. If you see the potential of how incredible people products can transform a business, this is the team for you. If you don't wait for directions, instead, identifying new features and opportunities we have to just get better, this is your new career.

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/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $147,000/YR - $237,500/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We're problem solvers that 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

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.