Sr Principal Engineer Hardware

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

Your Career
As a member of the System Architecture team at Palo Alto Networks, you will work on the development of ASICs, FPGAs and Systems that power Palo Alto Network's Next Generation Firewall platforms

Your Impact
You will work on cutting edge system architectures for next generation firewall products, identify performance bottlenecks and solutions, design and model protocol and sub-component offload solutions.

In addition to high level design work, you will also do hands-on coding, including:
Prototyping and modeling of new architectures and designs

Architectural models, test infrastructure, pre- and post-silicon validation

In-house Processor Tool Chain Development - Assembler, Debugger, Simulator

Infrastructure to support ASIC team development and verification

ASIC microcode and device driver development

Qualifications
Your Experience
Be part of System Architecture team defining the architecture of next generation ASICs, FPGAs and systems. The ideal candidate would have a background in embedded networking, forwarding or platform software.

Bring your expertise with various aspects of system software design, networking protocols, multi-processor systems, and hardware offloading.
In-depth knowledge of networking equipment & architectures - system hardware, CPUs, ASIC etc.
Experienced in networking protocols - mobile, routing, transport layer, SSL/TLS, etc.
Experienced in Software and Hardware co-design and understanding HW offload including system modeling for feasibility and tradeoffs
Experience with designing system software for enterprise networking equipment
Strong coding skills including C/C++, Bash, Python, etc.
Familiarity with containerized development and docker and Linux/Kernel drivers
Experience with network security desired
Familiarity with x86, MIPS and ARM architectures, and interface standards such as PCIe
Experience with IPC mechanisms and multi-CPU architectures
New hardware bring-up experience desired
Minimum 10 years of related experience required

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.

$170,400.00 - $275,725.00/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

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.