Senior Principal Software Engineer – Layer 7 Security

Palo Alto Networks

Senior Principal Software Engineer leading the design and development of Layer 7 security capabilities at Palo Alto Networks. Driving innovation in cybersecurity systems at massive scale.

Posted 5/30/2026full-timeSanta Clara • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $147,000 - $237,500 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudDistributed SystemsGoLinuxTCP/IPUnix

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the architecture, design, and development of advanced Layer 7 security capabilities within next-generation firewall platforms
Drive the development of highly scalable, real-time, distributed cloud security systems
Define and implement robust, high-performance, and maintainable system architectures
Set technical direction for critical components, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security
Partner with product management, security research, and platform teams to translate complex requirements into executable designs
Lead end-to-end execution across the software development lifecycle, from concept through deployment and sustainment
Establish and enforce engineering best practices, including code quality, performance optimization, and secure development
Mentor senior and junior engineers, and elevate the technical capabilities of the organization
Identify architectural, tooling, and process gaps and drive improvements at an organizational level
Serve as a technical authority for debugging, performance tuning, and complex system challenges

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related technical field, or equivalent practical/military experience
12+ years of professional software engineering experience, including significant time in senior technical leadership roles
Expert-level proficiency in C and strong proficiency in Go
Extensive experience developing in Unix/Linux environments
Proven experience designing and building large-scale, high-performance distributed systems
Deep expertise in networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP internals and network security technologies
Advanced experience with multi-threaded, multi-process, and multi-core system design
Strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and systems-level performance optimization
Demonstrated ability to lead architecture and deliver complex, cross-functional initiatives
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Employee benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, professional development, bonuses, stock options, equipment allowances, wellness programs

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

CGoUnixLinuxdistributed systemsnetworking fundamentalsTCP/IPmulti-threaded designmulti-process designsystems-level performance optimization

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationmentoringinfluencing stakeholderscollaboration

Certifications

Bachelor’s degreeMaster’s degreePh.D.