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Palo Alto Networks

AI-First Core IT Software Engineering: Software, ML & Data (Staff – Principal)

Palo Alto Networks

Published 06 Mar 2026
Santa Clara, CA, USA
145K - 236K USD Annual
Full Time

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Role Highlights

Languages used

Python
Java
GO

Key skills

Machine Learning
Data Science
Generative AI
Vector Database
Computer Science
API
CICD
Distributed Systems
Statistical Analysis
Applied Mathematics
Transformation
LLMs
Infrastructure
Deployment
Modelling
Statistics
Optimization
Inference
Reliability
Security
PhD

Tools, Libraries and Frameworks

Description

\\\\Our Mission\\\\ At Palo Alto Networks®, were united by a shared missionto 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 youre ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, youre 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. Thats why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when its needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes. \\\\Job Summary\\\\ \\\\Team Statement\\\\ This is a Unified Application for our AI-First \\\\IT\\\\ Transformation portfolio. We recognize that top-tier AI talent often has skills that span multiple domains. By applying here, your profile is evaluated by our core IT strategy team for multiple high-impact leadership and technical roles \\\\powering\\\\ the entire enterprise, ensuring we find the right home for your specific expertise. \\\\Qualifications\\\\ \\\\Key Responsibilities\\\\ \\+ \\\\AI Platform Development:\\\\ Lead the hands-on development of core Enterprise IT Business software leveraging AI components and LLM infrastructure with both traditional and Generative AI model deployment. \\+ \\\\Agentic Workflows:\\\\ Build and industrialize \\\\agentic AI systems and multi-agent frameworks\\\\ , ensuring secure and effective use of GenAI technologies at the platform level. \\+ \\\\Data Strategy & Modeling:\\\\ Design and implement robust \\\\foundational data pipelines\\\\ , perform advanced statistical analysis, and develop new ML models to drive autonomous system behavior. \\+ \\\\System Optimization:\\\\ Design large-scale, distributed AI/ML systems optimized for low latency, high throughput, and developer-friendliness (Inference optimization). \\+ \\\\Observability & Governance:\\\\ Establish evaluation frameworks to measure AI quality (accuracy, hallucination rates) and overall system reliability across the \\\\Enterprise AI Factory\\\\ . \\\\Required Qualifications\\\\ \\+ \\\\Experience:\\\\ Staff level: 3-5+ years; Senior Staff: 6-8+; and Principal level:8-12+ years of experience in \\\\Software Engineering, Data Science, or Machine Learning\\\\ . \\+ \\\\Technical Mastery:\\\\ Expert-level server-side development (Python, Java, Go) OR deep expertise in \\\\statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and LLM fine-tuning\\\\ . \\+ \\\\Architecture:\\\\ Direct experience with \\\\RAG architectures, LLM APIs, and Vector Databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus)\\\\ . \\+ \\\\Scale:\\\\ Hands-on experience with \\\\Kubernetes, CI/CD, and distributed systems\\\\ for large-scale AI deployment. \\\\Preferred Qualifications\\\\ \\+ \\\\Advanced AI:\\\\ Experience with multi-turn dialogue management, Text-to-SQL systems, and causal inference. \\+ \\\\Security:\\\\ Understanding of adversarial defense and security principles as they apply to AI model integrity. \\+ \\\\Education:\\\\ PhD or Masters in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Machine Learning. \\\\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/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here () . $145,000.00 - $235,500.00/yr \\\\Our Commitment\\\\ Were trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecuritys status quo. Its simple: we cant 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 . 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

Required Qualifications and Skills

The role requires experience in Software Engineering, Data Science, or Machine Learning, with specific levels of experience needed for Staff (3-5+ years), Senior Staff (6-8+ years), and Principal (8-12+ years) levels. Technical mastery in server-side development using Python, Java, or Go is essential, or deep expertise in statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and LLM fine-tuning. Direct experience with RAG architectures, LLM APIs, and Vector Databases such as Pinecone or Milvus is required. Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and distributed systems for large-scale AI deployment is also necessary. A PhD or Masters in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Machine Learning is preferred.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Job and company description information and some of the data fields may have been generated via GPT-4 summarisation and could contain inaccuracies. The full external job listing link should always be relied on for authoritative information.

About the company

Palo Alto Networks

Size

14705

Founded

HQ

SANTA CLARA, US

Public/Private

Public Company

Description

Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organizations operate. Our mission is to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

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