Principal Engineer Software

Job Summary

As a Principal Software Engineer in the Platform Software group, you will be instrumental in designing and developing our cutting-edge Next-Generation Firewall platforms. You will own the full product development lifecycle, from initial design and platform bring-up to implementation and deployment. This role involves deep collaboration with cross-functional hardware and software teams to build consistent, secure, and high-performance platform software. Your expertise will directly contribute to the foundation of the products that protect our customers' digital way of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design, development, and deployment of software for Next-Generation Firewall platforms, from concept to field deployment.
• Develop and maintain platform software, including kernel/user-space drivers, platform security features using TPM, and third-party switch/fabric provisioning.
• Proactively collaborate and exchange information with cross-functional teams including Hardware, ASIC, QA, and Manufacturing to ensure seamless platform integration.
• Challenge the status quo by proactively identifying and advocating for product improvements, innovations, and new features based on internal and external feedback.
• Simplify complex systems by developing consistent and maintainable platform software across all Next-Gen Firewall platforms.
• Troubleshoot and debug complex software issues at the system level to ensure robust, high-quality product releases.
• Focus on the details of platform bring-up for both pizza-box and chassis-based systems, ensuring stability and performance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software development for networking products, including device drivers and hardware bring-up.
• Expert-level C programming and debugging skills.
• Proven experience with low-level platform software and Linux device drivers (e.g., PHY, Switch SDK, Storage).
• Strong scripting skills in Python and/or Bash.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Linux Kernel development and high-availability mechanisms.
• Knowledge of platform security technologies such as TPM, FIPS, and Common Criteria (CC) certifications.
• Experience with Intel DPDK, cellular modem bring-up, x86, or MIPS architecture.

Additional Information

The Team

Engineering - As the leader of the Public Cloud Security team, you will be responsible for building products that protect data, workloads, and infrastructure for some of the largest enterprise customers in the world. We help the customers in their transitional journey to the cloud by ensuring they have the best-in-class protection. The cloud market has been growing at a rapid rate for the last few years. As more and more enterprises use public cloud, there is an insatiable demand for securing workloads in the public cloud. With our recent acquisition of Prisma Public Cloud, formerly RedLock™, and Evident.io, Palo Alto Networks is the reigning market leader.

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. 

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  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.

About the Company

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.