Senior Staff Test Engineer (Network Platform Testing, NGFW) - NetSec

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 take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Job Description

Your Career

From product inception to customer delivery, you will be instrumental in the development and testing of new platforms where the latest features and abilities will confound our competitors and delight our customers.  As an experienced platform test engineer, you will use your skills and knowledge to develop test methodologies and execute test plans for our firewall hardware and software platforms to ensure high quality products are delivered to our customers. 

Using various test equipment and linux-based open-source tools; and requiring knowledge of Platforms and Networking (L2/L3); your insights and experience will enhance our test methodologies to ensure the stability and functionality of various platforms in development.  From manual testing to automation with Python, you will discover and implement new techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of our testing and delivery process.

Besides the technical aspects of this position, the ability to communicate and work effectively with many different groups, from Product Line Managers, Program Managers, Engineers and others, is essential.  

This role is well-suited for meticulous individuals who enjoy tackling big and small problems, individually and with a team, in the pursuit of quality, efficiency, and speed. Successful candidates will be curious, creative thinkers, with a collaborative mindset, a strong work ethic, and a can-do attitude.

Your Impact

 As a Senior Staff Platform-Software Test Engineer

• Devise methodologies and execute test plans that effectively test all aspects of the platform, from specific hardware/platform components to network layers L1-L7
• Collaborate and communicate with Product Line Managers, Program Managers, Engineering, Operations, Support and other business units to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products
• Influence the development of new products and testing methods by reviewing Product Requirement Documents, Functional Specification documents, and test plans with a discerning eye for technical accuracy and consistency from inception to final delivery
• Work in a fast-paced, collaborative and challenging environment with a focus on driving best practices in the Platform Team as well as groups outside the organization
• From flashing EEPROMs to detecting malware on LDAP networks, be the subject matter expert on all aspects of the new platforms from test coverage, process, and progress.
• Automate test cases using Python to enhance the testing coverage, efficacy and efficiency of new platforms
• Constantly striving to improve speed, efficiency and quality, you will set high standards for all products being developed now and in the future
• Mentor and coach junior team members and drive best practices and knowledge across the various teams
• Exemplify our culture of respect, integrity, diversity and collaboration within as well as outside the team

Qualifications

Your Experience 

• At least 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Software and/or Hardware Test Engineer testing routers, switches or firewalls
• Excellent knowledge of Platform Software and L2/L3 testing methodologies and processes and optics qualification, board validation etc
• Conduct platform-level testing activities, including optics qualification, board validation, and system-level hardware verification to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance with product requirements.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on experience in Linux-based operating systems and open-source tools like tcpreplay, hping, iperf, etc.
• Excellent project leadership skills with a strong track record of successfully delivering on commitments
• At least 2+ years of experience bringing new platforms to market
• Familiarity with L4/L7 security technologies a plus
• Adept with Spirent, Ixia, BreakingPoint traffic generators
• Proficiency with Python highly desired
• Outstanding critical thinking, organizational, collaboration and communication (written and verbal) skills
• Outstanding troubleshooting skills from understanding protocols, analyzing cli output, debugging logs, capturing packets, etc. 
• Dependable self-starter who takes ownership
• Computer/Network lab design and maintenance experience a plus
• B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent required (M.S. Preferred)

Additional Information

The Team

Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don’t shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before.

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.

Covid-19 Vaccination Information for Palo Alto Networks Jobs

• Vaccine requirements and disclosure obligations vary by country.
• Unless applicable law requires otherwise, you must be vaccinated for COVID or qualify for a reasonable accommodation if:
  • The job requires accessing a company worksite
  • The job requires in-person customer contact and the customer has implemented such requirements
  • You choose to access a Palo Alto Networks worksite
• If you have questions about the vaccine requirements of this particular position based on your location or job requirements, please inquire with the recruiter.