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Principal Engineer Software (Java Backend, Distributed Systems - Big Data Cloud Platform)

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!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Job Description

Your Career

We are looking for Principal Engineer Software to be a part of the group that owns our multi-cloud Big Data pipelines that ingest, process, stream & store multi-tenant data at Petabyte scale for use by AI/ML applications in our industry leading cybersecurity products 

Your Impact

  • You will tackle new and challenging problems in building a new generation of highly scaled data processing and analytics system for use in AI-powered use cases
  • You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex technical challenges and drive innovation
  • You will ensure the adoption of best practices in code quality, scalability and system design among team members
  • You will contribute in architecture, design and development of features 
  • You will work  with DevOps and Technical Support teams to investigate and resolve critical customer defects

Qualifications

Your Experience 

  • BS in Computer Science, equivalent knowledge, or equivalent military experience required
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience required
  • Coding experience in Java at your current job required
  • Experience in designing, coding, and maintaining systems built with scalable distributed systems architecture required
  • Experience with one or more cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP and their services (DataFlow, BigQuery, Athena etc) and Kubernetes preferred
  • Experience with a variety of database technologies (Mysql, Cassandra, ElasticSearch, etc)

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 $147000 - $237500/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  [email protected].

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

Average salary estimate

$192250 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$147000K
$237500K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Principal Engineer Software (Java Backend, Distributed Systems - Big Data Cloud Platform), Palo Alto Networks

At Palo Alto Networks, we're on a mission to redefine cybersecurity and we're looking for passionate individuals to join us! As a Principal Engineer Software focused on Java Backend and Distributed Systems for our Big Data Cloud Platform in Santa Clara, CA, you'll be at the forefront of innovation. Your role will primarily involve developing and managing multi-cloud big data pipelines that process, stream, and store massive amounts of tenant data at Petabyte scale. This is an exciting opportunity to dive into AI and machine learning applications that drive our industry-leading cybersecurity products. You'll have the chance to tackle complex technical challenges, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and promote best practices in coding and system design. We value creativity and initiative, and your input will be vital in shaping the future of our product architecture and features. With over eight years of software engineering experience and a strong coding background in Java, your expertise in distributed systems architectures and cloud services like AWS or GCP will shine here. We’re all about fostering collaboration and innovation within our team, and our dynamic environment ensures you can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully. If you thrive on challenges and are excited about creating secure digital environments, join us at Palo Alto Networks where your work will make a difference!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Engineer Software (Java Backend, Distributed Systems - Big Data Cloud Platform) Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the responsibilities of a Principal Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Principal Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks, your main responsibilities will include designing and maintaining scalable big data systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams on complex challenges, ensuring best practices in code quality and system architecture, and contributing to the innovative development of AI-powered features.

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What qualifications are required for the Principal Engineer Software position at Palo Alto Networks?

To qualify for the Principal Engineer Software position at Palo Alto Networks, you should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or have equivalent experience, possess at least 8 years of software engineering experience, and have strong coding expertise in Java. Familiarity with distributed systems architecture and cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP is essential.

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What does the work environment look like for a Principal Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks?

Palo Alto Networks fosters a collaborative work environment in Santa Clara, CA, where in-person interactions drive innovation. The team values flexibility while prioritizing casual conversations that lead to effective problem-solving and the building of trusted relationships among team members.

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How does Palo Alto Networks support employee well-being for a Principal Engineer Software?

At Palo Alto Networks, we offer a comprehensive well-being program that aids personal development and mental health. Benefits include a FLEXBenefits spending account, resources for financial wellness, and personalized learning opportunities, empowering you to choose how you are supported on your professional journey.

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Is the Principal Engineer Software role at Palo Alto Networks eligible for immigration sponsorship?

Yes, the Principal Engineer Software position at Palo Alto Networks is eligible for immigration sponsorship, allowing talented candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and contribute to our mission of enhancing cybersecurity.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal Engineer Software (Java Backend, Distributed Systems - Big Data Cloud Platform)
Can you describe a project where you implemented a scalable distributed system?

When answering this question, detail the specifics of the project, including the technologies used, your role, and challenges faced. Highlight how your contributions influenced performance improvements and system efficiency.

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What is your experience with cloud services and how do you integrate them into your projects?

Share your familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS and GCP, focusing on specific services you have utilized. Discuss integration strategies, best practices, and how you ensure scalability and reliability in your applications.

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How do you ensure code quality when working on large codebases?

Discuss methodologies you employ such as code reviews, unit testing, and automated testing frameworks. Include your beliefs about collaboration in maintaining code quality and how mentoring peers fits into your process.

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Describe a time when you collaborated with cross-functional teams. What was the outcome?

Provide a clear example that demonstrates your ability to work with different teams. Emphasize communication strategies you used, any challenges encountered, and the positive outcomes achieved through collaboration.

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How do you approach debugging a critical defect in a production system?

Explain your systematic approach, which may include identifying the root cause, consulting logs, and working with various team members. Stress the importance of documenting your findings and implementing long-term solutions.

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What technologies do you prefer for big data processing and why?

Discuss your preferences among technologies like Hadoop, Spark, or others based on performance, scalability, and the types of big data challenges you’ve faced. Mention specific projects where these technologies have been successfully applied.

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How do you stay current with advancements in software engineering and cybersecurity?

Share your strategies for continuous learning, such as attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, or following technical blogs. Mention how you actively apply new knowledge to your projects.

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What do you think are the biggest challenges facing cybersecurity today?

Provide an insightful overview of current cybersecurity threats and challenges, such as evolving malware, zero-day vulnerabilities, and compliance issues. Highlight how your role can contribute to addressing these challenges.

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Can you describe your experience working within Agile development teams?

Talk about your role in Agile teams, including participation in sprints, stand-ups, and retrospectives. Highlight how Agile methodologies have impacted project delivery and team dynamics positively.

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What strategies do you employ to mentor junior engineers?

Discuss your mentoring style and how you focus on knowledge sharing, providing feedback, and encouraging junior engineers to tackle challenges independently. Provide examples of successful mentorship experiences.

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Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
March 23, 2025

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