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Principal Engineer - SRE

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

Palo Alto Networks™ is a revolutionary and dynamic company creating next generation network security products. If you are a motivated, intelligent, creative, and hardworking individual who wants to contribute and make a difference, this job is for you!

Fast-paced, fast-changing and unpredictable defines our information technology team. We are looking for analytical, agile, and influential leaders who can quickly deliver meaningful results and solutions with the flexibility to accommodate evolving business needs and shifting priorities.

This position is responsible for Palo Alto Networks’ (PANW) network and security infrastructure for all enterprise, partner, and customer facing services. A successful candidate for this role will have strong project management and organization skills to complement their technical skills. You will work with a team of senior level IaC Automation Engineers leading projects designing, implementing, and maintaining PANWs global compute infrastructure.

Your Impact

  • Design, implement and provide support for IT infrastructure compute components

  • Install, support and maintain software infrastructure according to best practices, including routers, Load balancers, switches, wifi controllers, and firewalls via terraform/ansible automation

  • Perform network security design and integration

  • Diagnose problems and solve issues, often under time constraints

  • Implement the necessary controls and procedures to protect information systems assets from intentional or inadvertent modification, disclosure, or destruction

  • Ensure system uptime and backup for all IT infrastructure

  • Provide security incident triage and response, including working with firewall and device logs, investigating security events, protecting forensic value of data and establishing monitoring and incident reporting and response procedures

  • Work closely with engineering to help report issues and manage project deliverables and provide status and progress reports

  • Provide on-call support for Incident Management

Qualifications

Your Experience 

  • 8+ years’ experience in IAC and infra automation tools

  • BSCS or related field, MS preferred

  • Expert knowledge on cloud orchestration via GKE / EKS, etc

  • Extensive background in planning and designing projects and analyzing existing distributed systems and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness

  • Experience with Load Balancers, F5 preferred, Reverse proxy (nginx)

  • Knowledge of data center design, build-out, and best practices

  • Experienced in designing and implementing Business Continuity Plans and Disaster Recovery Plans and facilities

  • Experience performing configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco & Arista routing/switching platforms

  • Expert knowledge of firewalls technologies (PANW preferred), including VPNs and routing

  • Experience with multi-tier architectures, including best practices around tier isolation (for databases, etc)

  • Extensive knowledge of network security systems, intrusion detection systems and protocols including, ACE, ACS, VPN, GRE, IPSEC, IKE, TACACS, RADIUS, ACLs, 802.1x, audits, log files etc.

  • Basic knowledge of shell scripting and programming languages such a PERL, Ruby, PHP, or Python

  • Advanced knowledge of DNS and DHCP and Microsoft AD infrastructure

  • Strong analytical skills for interpreting business requirements and translating them into technical specifications

  • Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills

  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write network and security documentation, policies, and guidelines

  • Ability to work nights and weekends and provide 24/7 on-call support

  • Well-versed in commercial InfoSec requirements, guidance and standards

Additional Information

The Team

Working at a high-tech cybersecurity company within Information Technology is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll join the brightest minds in technology, creating, building, and supporting tools and enabling our global teams on the front line of defense against cyberattacks.

We’re connected by one mission but driven by the impact of that mission and what it means to protect our way of life in the digital age. Join a dynamic and fast-paced team of people who feel excited by the prospect of a challenge and feel a thrill at resolving technical gaps that inhibit productivity.

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 $154,000 - $249,500/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

$201750 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$154000K
$249500K

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 - SRE, Palo Alto Networks

Are you ready to take your engineering skills to the next level? Palo Alto Networks is on the lookout for a talented Principal Engineer - SRE to join our amazing team in Santa Clara, CA. In this role, you won't just be another cog in the wheel; you'll be at the forefront of designing and maintaining our cutting-edge cybersecurity infrastructure. Your day-to-day will involve leading a skilled group of IaC Automation Engineers while ensuring our network and security frameworks are top-notch. Imagine crafting solutions that power our global infrastructure and make a real difference in how we protect our digital way of life! With your expertise in cloud orchestration, network security design, and automation tools, you'll ensure high availability and security for our systems. Plus, at Palo Alto Networks, we believe in continuous learning and development. You'll be empowered to grow, tackle challenges, and contribute innovative ideas. We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. If you're ready for a fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment, where your skills can shine and your contributions truly matter, this is the job for you. Join us as we revolutionize the future of cybersecurity and create safe digital experiences for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Engineer - SRE Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the main responsibilities of a Principal Engineer - SRE at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Principal Engineer - SRE at Palo Alto Networks, your main responsibilities will include designing, implementing, and supporting IT infrastructure for enterprise services. You'll work on network security design, manage incident responses, and ensure system uptime. Leading a team of IaC Automation Engineers, you'll oversee the deployment and maintenance of our computing resources, all while adhering to best practices in network management.

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What qualifications are needed for the Principal Engineer - SRE position at Palo Alto Networks?

To qualify for the Principal Engineer - SRE role at Palo Alto Networks, candidates should have at least 8 years of experience in infrastructure automation and tools, along with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field. Knowledge of cloud orchestration platforms, extensive background in network security systems, and excellent project management skills are essential to thrive in this role.

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What tools and technologies will a Principal Engineer - SRE use at Palo Alto Networks?

In the Principal Engineer - SRE position at Palo Alto Networks, you will work with a range of tools and technologies including IaC automation tools like Terraform and Ansible, cloud orchestration platforms such as GKE and EKS, and firewall technologies. You'll also be involved in configuring load balancers, VPNs, and ensuring best practices for network security are implemented.

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What is the work environment like for a Principal Engineer - SRE at Palo Alto Networks?

At Palo Alto Networks, the work environment for a Principal Engineer - SRE is collaborative and dynamic. Employees work primarily from the office to foster in-person interactions, casual conversations, and problem-solving teamwork. The culture emphasizes personal well-being, continuous learning, and an inclusive atmosphere, making it a great place to grow your career.

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What opportunities for growth exist for a Principal Engineer - SRE at Palo Alto Networks?

Palo Alto Networks offers numerous opportunities for growth for a Principal Engineer - SRE. With a strong emphasis on ongoing learning and development, you can expand your skills through personalized learning programs and mentorship. The dynamic nature of the cybersecurity field means that you'll continuously face new challenges and have the chance to innovate, ensuring your career trajectory is anything but static.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal Engineer - SRE
Can you describe your experience with IaC automation tools as a Principal Engineer - SRE?

In answering this question, highlight specific IaC tools you have used, such as Terraform and Ansible. Discuss projects where you successfully implemented automation, the challenges faced, and how your work improved efficiency or security within the infrastructure.

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How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects in network security?

Talk about your approach to prioritization, which might incorporate tools like Kanban boards or project management software. Explain how you assess project urgency and impact, emphasizing any frameworks or methodologies you adhere to for maximizing productivity and maintaining security standards.

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What strategies do you use for incident management and response?

Outline your method for responding to incidents, including how you identify and categorize incidents, communicate with stakeholders, and implement solutions. Stress the importance of maintaining forensic data and how it feeds into continuous improvement for both security posture and incident response plans.

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How do you handle network failures and downtime in a high-pressure environment?

Discuss your experience with diagnosing network issues and implementing backup solutions. Provide examples of specific incidents you've managed and how you remain calm under pressure, ensuring minimal downtime and swift recovery.

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What are your best practices for ensuring system security and compliance?

Share your experience in establishing security protocols and compliance measures. Discuss frameworks you've implemented to mitigate risks, perform audits, and maintain updated policies that align with industry standards.

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Describe a time when you had to lead a team on a complex project.

Provide a specific example where you motivated and guided your team through challenges. Talk about your leadership style, communication techniques, and how you managed project timelines while ensuring quality results.

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What is your experience with cloud orchestration platforms like GKE or EKS?

Describe your proficiency with cloud orchestration tools, mentioning specific projects where you deployed services using GKE or EKS. Highlight how these experiences have shaped your understanding of scalable infrastructure and deployment strategies.

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How do you stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies in network security?

Explain your methods for staying current, such as participating in webinars, attending industry conferences, or engaging with professional networks. Share how you apply this knowledge to your work, driving innovation and improvements at Palo Alto Networks.

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What role does documentation play in your approach as a Principal Engineer - SRE?

Discuss the significance of documentation in your work, covering aspects like maintaining technical specs and incident reports. Explain how thorough documentation enhances team collaboration, knowledge transfer, and ultimately leads to better project outcomes.

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What do you consider the biggest challenges in cybersecurity today?

Articulate your insights into current cybersecurity challenges, such as evolving threats and regulatory pressures. Provide examples of how you've addressed similar challenges in the past and how you would advocate for proactive solutions at Palo Alto Networks.

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

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DATE POSTED
March 16, 2025

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