Sr Staff Engineer Software

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

Job Summary We are seeking a motivated, smart, and passionate Senior Staff Engineer to join our Next-gen Firewall data plane team. You will be part of a world-class software engineering team working on cutting-edge firewall technologies. In this role, you will design and develop the next-generation firewall, take ownership of large software components, and collaborate with product management, QA, and support teams throughout the entire software development lifecycle to address real-world cyber-attacks. Key Responsibilities Develop NextGen Network Security Components and Protocols for state-of-the-art firewalls in Enterprise, Data Center, Cloud, and Service Provider environments. Lead the development of L2-L4 network security features, including stateful TCP/UDP inspection, across both hardware and virtual platforms. Design and develop a scalable flow architecture for the packet processing pipeline using DPDK for multi-core platforms. Create scalable software solutions for a distributed session architecture that spans a cluster of firewalls. Proactively collaborate and exchange information with multi-functional teams like Product Management and QA on feature requirements and design. Provide root cause analysis and support for critical customer escalations in a timely manner. Take ownership of tasks and assignments, acting as a product visionary and making effective decisions to drive features to completion.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications BS/MS degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience. 5+ years of strong experience in large-scale software development with in-depth C programming and robust debugging skills. Strong experience with software development on Unix/Linux platforms. In-depth knowledge of networking protocols, specifically L3 and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF). Strong technical knowledge of computer architecture, systems engineering, and core system infrastructure (e.g., IPC, clustering, High Availability). Preferred Qualifications Experience with Python and Shell scripting. Demonstrated ability to contribute across all phases of the software development lifecycle, from definition and design through implementation and testing. A proactive, can-do attitude with the ability to take initiative and drive open issues to completion.

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  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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.