Sr Principal Software Engineer (Posture Security)

Palo Alto Networks•Santa Clara, CA

21d•$225,000 - $250,000

About The Position

Architect/Sr. Principal Engineer, Backend - Cortex Cloud (Posture Security) Team: Cortex Cloud - Posture Security Palo Alto Networks is the industry leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting our digital way of life. We are innovators at our core, challenging the status quo and committed to building the next generation of security products. We are looking for a seasoned and visionary Architect/Sr. Principal Engineer to join our dynamic backend engineering team, specifically focused on our Cortex Cloud Posture Security solutions. In this role, you will be instrumental in designing and developing robust, scalable, and high-performance backend systems that power our cutting-edge cloud security posture management capabilities.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in backend software development, with a proven track record of designing and delivering complex, distributed systems, preferably in a cloud security context.
Deep expertise in Go and/or Python for backend development.
Strong understanding of software architecture principles, including microservices, event-driven architecture, and distributed systems patterns.
Proven experience with system design, data modeling, and API design (RESTful, gRPC).
Experience with various database technologies (SQL and NoSQL), message queues (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ), and caching solutions.
Solid understanding of cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), with a strong emphasis on security best practices within these environments.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor engineers.
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with a knack for explaining complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of UI technologies (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and how backend systems support frontend applications for displaying complex security data.
Deep experience with cybersecurity, specifically Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP), or related cloud security domains.
Contributions to open-source projects related to cloud security or backend infrastructure.
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform.
Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., CIS, NIST, SOC2) and their implications for cloud security products.

Responsibilities

Lead the architectural vision and design for complex, large-scale backend systems and microservices that form the backbone of our Cortex Cloud Posture Security offerings.
Develop and implement high-quality, resilient, and scalable backend services primarily using Go and Python.
Drive system design discussions and decisions, ensuring solutions meet current Posture Security needs while being adaptable for future growth and technological advancements in cloud security.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, frontend engineers, security researchers, and SRE, to define, design, and ship new features and platform enhancements for Cortex Cloud Posture Security.
Mentor and guide senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning within the Posture Security team.
Define and evangelize best practices for backend development, testing, and deployment within the organization, particularly as they apply to cloud-native security solutions.
Analyze and resolve complex technical challenges and production issues, ensuring the reliability and performance of our Cortex Cloud Posture Security services.
Contribute to and lead code reviews, design reviews, and architectural reviews related to Posture Security components.
Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in cloud security, backend development, and posture management, evaluating and recommending their adoption where appropriate.
Optionally, leverage your understanding of UI development and user experience to contribute to a more holistic product design and improved collaboration with frontend teams working on the Cortex Cloud interface.