Staff Research Analyst (Vulnerability Research Team)

The Cortex Exposure Management Scanning team is expanding, and we’re looking for a Staff Research Analyst to join us. In this role, you will contribute to making the internet a safer place by building the software that gives customers visibility into their attack surface. You will help them prioritize and remediate critical vulnerabilities using the XSIAM platform, directly impacting their security posture.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct vulnerability assessment research and testing, enhance automation, and ensure a smooth workflow for identifying, validating, and mitigating customer security risks.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, industry-leading repository of vulnerability content for network and endpoint-based scanners.
• Analyze existing solutions to identify barriers to quality, recommend changes, and implement improvements to enhance detection and mitigation strategies.
• Proactively collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve problems, reduce technical debt, and evolve development practices.
• Participate in architecture discussions, contributing to the design of solutions that meet the needs of different Cortex teams.
• Drive technical best practices and evangelize new technologies within the engineering organization.
• Contribute to project execution, help move initiatives forward, and assist with production support as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Experience in vulnerability management, security research, or penetration testing.
• Developing knowledge of TCP/IP and standard networking protocols, with experience applying these concepts in network vulnerability scanning.
• Familiarity with common open-source security software such as Nuclei, OpenVAS, or Nmap.
• Familiarity with conducting vulnerability assessments on operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) using agent-based and network-based scanning tools.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and vulnerability methodologies (e.g., CVSS, CWE).

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with or eagerness to learn Java, Golang, C/C++, or Rust.
• Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting enterprise vulnerability-management platforms (e.g., Nessus, Qualys, Tenable, Rapid7).
• Experience contributing to public vulnerability research, submitting CVEs, or creating proof-of-concept exploits.
• Experience using cloud managed services (ideally in GCP) and distributed data stores (e.g., BigQuery, BigTable).
• Cybersecurity certifications such as OSCP, GPEN, Pentest+ or a willingness to obtain them.

Additional Information

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 $110,800 - $179,225/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  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.