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Distinguished Engineer (Unit 42)

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!

Job Description

Your Career

We're seeking innovators - software engineers who seek to design new products, designing state-of-the-art products that do not exist today. These engineers love to code with a drive to build global products and bring new ideas to develop security disciplines to solve real-world problems. We are looking for engineers who take ownership of their areas of focus and who are driven to pursue problems at every level. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture and we need engineers who can communicate at a high level and work well with multi-functional teams towards achieving a common goal.

Unit 42 has best-in-industry security consultants and threat researches to support enterprises and organizations through their cybersecurity journeys. You will build software solutions to supercharge cybersecurity consultants, helping automate the collection, analysis and reporting of services. You will also develop applications to help find, extract, and structure threat intel for use across the Unit 42 and Palo Alto Networks ecosystem.

Your Impact

  • We are looking for an engineer to help build a scalable and performant micro service based architecture with public and private APIs
  • Contribute in all phases of the product development cycle, from definition, design, through implementation and test
  • Design robust technical solutions to business problems, with a high focus on quality and execution
  • Help design and build systems from scratch and implement processes to ensure modularity, efficiency and maintainability
  • Develop functional specifications, assess task requirements and scheduling, and assist in development, debug and support
  • Define, suggest and implement improvements to the development process
  • Clearly communicate goals and desired outcomes to internal project teams
  • Mentor, coach and help grow a strong technical team

Qualifications

Your Experience

  • B.S. degree in Computer Science, similar technical discipline or equivalent practical experience, Graduate degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Computer Science or similar technical discipline is preferred or equivalent military experience required
  • 10+ years of experience with web back-end frameworks and Go and/or Java
  • Familiar with database architecture, scalability, performance, and tuning
  • 5+ years of engineering experience with a proven track record of building user-facing web applications or services back-end
  • Experience designing/building scalable RESTful API’s
  • Develop, troubleshoot and maintain production level application code for new services and products
  • Understand the value of iterating fast; learning from small, safe, frequent changes
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure & services (AWS / Google Cloud / Azure )
  • Experience developing Software as a Service on a public cloud & microservice architectures
  • A focus on quality, with experience writing unit tests and collaborating with quality engineering to develop test plans
  • Is agile, enjoys the speed of a fast-paced, highly engaged startup environment, curious, and constantly seeks to improve standards as we go along 
  • Has a belief in automation, tooling, and testing as critical parts of the software lifecycle
  • Verbal and written communication skills to work with multi-functional groups
  • Teammate who brings a can-do attitude to a dynamic working environment

Additional Information

The Team

Unit 42 brings together our world-renowned threat researchers with an elite team of security consultants to create an intelligence-driven, response ready organization. 

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 $170000 - $277000/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.

Average salary estimate

$223500 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$170000K
$277000K

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 Distinguished Engineer (Unit 42), Palo Alto Networks

Join Palo Alto Networks as a Distinguished Engineer in beautiful Santa Clara, CA, where you’ll help shape the future of cybersecurity. This isn't just any engineering position; it's your chance to create innovative software solutions that empower our elite Unit 42 threat researchers and security consultants. At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in challenging the status quo and redefining how cybersecurity is approached. You'll build state-of-the-art applications that streamline the collection, analysis, and reporting of threat intelligence, making a direct impact on how organizations protect their digital lives. Your role will involve collaborating with multi-functional teams and fostering a culture of communication and support as you tackle complex problems and design robust, scalable microservice architectures with public and private APIs. Your experience with web back-end frameworks, especially Go and Java, will be invaluable as you contribute throughout the entire product development lifecycle. And don’t worry, you won’t be doing this alone; we want to see you mentor and coach those around you, helping to grow a strong technical team that mirrors our core values of collaboration and innovation. If you have a passion for pushing boundaries and improving standards within the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, we’d love to see your application. Come help us create a safer digital landscape for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Distinguished Engineer (Unit 42) Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the primary responsibilities of a Distinguished Engineer at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Distinguished Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, your primary responsibilities include designing and implementing innovative software solutions, building scalable microservices, and collaborating with threat researchers at Unit 42. You will contribute to all phases of the product development cycle, ensuring high-quality and efficient designs that solve real-world cybersecurity issues.

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What qualifications are needed for a Distinguished Engineer position at Palo Alto Networks?

To be considered for the Distinguished Engineer position at Palo Alto Networks, you should possess a B.S. degree in Computer Science or a related field, along with over 10 years of experience in web back-end frameworks, preferably Go or Java. A strong background in building user-facing applications, designing RESTful APIs, and familiarity with cloud infrastructure is essential.

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How does the Unit 42 team support cybersecurity efforts at Palo Alto Networks?

Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks combines elite security consultants with world-renowned threat researchers, creating a formidable team that drives intelligence in cybersecurity. As a Distinguished Engineer, you will help build software solutions that enhance their efforts through automation, tapping into threat intelligence to bolster client defenses against digital threats.

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What is the work culture like for a Distinguished Engineer at Palo Alto Networks?

At Palo Alto Networks, the work culture is fast-paced and collaborative, built on values such as innovation, integrity, and inclusion. As a Distinguished Engineer, you will be part of a community that encourages continuous learning and personal growth, with ample opportunities to mentor teammates and engage in methodical problem-solving.

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What opportunities for growth exist for a Distinguished Engineer at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Distinguished Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, you will have abundant opportunities for growth, including professional development programs, access to cutting-edge technologies, and a supportive environment focused on innovation and execution. The company fosters your career progression through mentorship and encourages fresh ideas to be shared across teams.

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Common Interview Questions for Distinguished Engineer (Unit 42)
Can you describe your experience with building scalable web applications?

When tackling this question, focus on specific projects where you've successfully built web applications that can handle increased loads. Discuss the technologies used, strategies for scalability, and any performance improvements you achieved, emphasizing your proactive approach during the software lifecycle.

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How do you ensure code quality and reliability in your applications?

To answer this effectively, provide examples of the practices you follow to maintain code quality, such as writing unit tests, code reviews, and incorporating automated testing. Explain your focus on continuous integration and the tools you utilize to enforce coding standards.

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What experience do you have with developing RESTful APIs?

In response, outline your hands-on experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs. Highlight specific projects where you defined endpoints, managed data exchange, and ensured security measures, detailing any libraries or frameworks you’ve used.

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How do you approach mentoring junior engineers?

A great way to answer this question is to talk about your personal mentoring experiences. Discuss how you provide constructive feedback, create learning opportunities, and encourage independent problem-solving, showcasing your commitment to team development.

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Can you explain a time you faced a significant challenge in a project?

Think of a specific challenge, describe the situation, your role in the team, and the actions you took to resolve it. Focus on solutions and what you learned from the experience, showing your adaptability and problem-solving skills.

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What role does cloud infrastructure play in your projects?

Discuss your experience with various cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), emphasizing how you've utilized them to enhance performance, scalability, and flexibility in web applications. Illustrate your understanding of how cloud architecture integrates with modern software development.

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How do you handle feedback and criticism about your work?

Here, explain your view on constructive criticism as an essential part of professional growth. Share an instance where feedback has helped you improve or pivot on a project, demonstrating your openness to learning and adapting.

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What automation tools have you used in software development?

List any automation tools you are familiar with, like CI/CD pipelines, test frameworks, or cloud deployment tools. Provide examples of how these tools have improved your workflow efficiency and effectiveness in previous projects.

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Describe your process for developing technical specifications?

Outline your methodology from gathering requirements through collaboration with stakeholders to formulating specifications. Discuss best practices for documentation and maintaining clarity throughout the project lifecycle.

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How do you prioritize tasks within fast-paced projects?

Offer insight into your time management and prioritization strategies. Mention techniques like Agile methodologies or Kanban boards that you’ve used to keep projects on track, ensuring timely and quality deliverables.

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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 19, 2025

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