Principal Software Engineer (Network Security - QA)

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! 

Job Description

Your Career

From product inception to customer delivery, the Principal Software Engineer (Network Security - QA) will play a pivotal role in developing cutting-edge platforms designed to outpace our competitors and delight our customers.

As an experienced test engineer, you will apply your skills to define test methodologies and execute comprehensive test plans for our hardware and software firewall products. Your contributions will help ensure we deliver high-quality, reliable solutions to our customers.

Leveraging various test equipment and Linux-based open-source tools—alongside your knowledge of CPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, and networking protocols up to Layer 7—you will strengthen our testing practices and validate the stability and functionality of our solutions throughout development. From hands-on manual testing to automation with Python, you’ll explore and implement innovative techniques to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our QA processes.

Beyond technical excellence, strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, as you'll engage with Product Line Managers, Program Managers, Engineers, and cross-functional teams across the organization.

This role is ideal for detail-oriented professionals who thrive on solving both complex and routine challenges—independently and collaboratively—in the pursuit of quality, speed, and innovation.

A forward-thinking mindset and the ability to adapt and integrate in-house AI tools to drive improved outcomes will set you up for long-term success in this role.

Your Impact

• Collaborate within a small, fast-paced, and highly focused team to solve critical customer challenges and deliver high-impact outcomes.

• Partner with cross-functional development and QA teams to ensure the highest quality across software and hardware platforms.

• Provide technical feedback by reviewing Product Requirement Documents, Functional Specifications, and test strategies to influence product development and ensure alignment with quality standards.

• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans and methodologies that validate functionality across layers—from individual components to full-stack network layers (L2–L4)

• Design and implement Python-based automation frameworks, tools, and scripts to improve regression test coverage, execution efficiency, and platform validation.

• Build and maintain automation infrastructure and testbeds to support scalable, repeatable testing.

• Foster a culture of excellence and best practices through collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement across teams and disciplines.

Qualifications

Your Experience

• 10+ years of experience as a Software and/or Network Test Engineer, validating routers, switches, and firewalls across Layers 1–7

• Deep expertise in platform/software testing methodologies, automation frameworks, and test execution across Linux environments

• Strong background in network protocols (TCP/IP, routing, application-layer), dataplane forwarding, and troubleshooting using packet capture, CLI tools, and log analysis

• Skilled with traffic generators such as Spirent, Ixia BreakingPoint, as well as virtualization platforms like ESXi, OpenShift

• Strong understanding of modern network design, implementation, and troubleshooting, with additional experience in computer/network lab setup and maintenance

• Proven track record of delivering new platforms/products to market with end-to-end QA ownership, including high availability, clustering, and scalability testing

• Strong communication, collaboration, and project leadership skills, with a history of cross-functional teamwork and quality delivery

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field required; Master’s degree or equivalent military experience 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.

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 - $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  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.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: Yes