Principal Software Engineer - MacOS - C/C++ (Prisma Access) - job 2 of 6

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.

Prisma Access™ combines the Internet connectivity/security you need - and delivers it everywhere you need it. Using cutting-edge public and private cloud technologies, it extends the next-generation security protection to all cloud services and to its customers regardless of whether they are on-premise, on remote networks or mobile users. 

One part of Prisma Access™ is our Global Protect team, which is responsible for securing the network traffic from Customer devices to Prisma Access™ Cloud. We are seeking an experienced Software Engineer to design, develop and deliver next-generation technologies within our Global Protect team. We want passionate engineers who love to code and build great products and who bring new ideas in all facets of software development. We are looking for leaders who take ownership of their areas of focus and who are driven to solve problems at every level. Collaboration and teamwork are at the foundation of our culture and we need engineers who can communicate at a high level and work well with others towards achieving a common goal.

Your Experience

• 10+ years of experience in software development with a focus on macOS is required.

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in macOS systems programming, with a deep understanding of macOS kernel internals and system-level programming is required

• Familiarity with macOS frameworks such as System Extensions, Network Extensions, and Endpoint Security Framework.

• Proficiency in C/C++ programming languages, with a strong emphasis on macOS development.

• Familiarity with Swift or Objective-C is a plus.

• Knowledge of networking protocols and troubleshooting tools specifically on macOS platforms.

• A team player with a can-do attitude, ready to tackle complex problems and eager to learn and grow.

• Skilled at collaboration and effective communication across multiple teams.

• M.S./B.S. degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Preferred Qualities

• A fast learner who adapts quickly to new tools and technologies.

• Enjoys solving challenging problems and working across cross-functional teams.

• Knowledge of the cybersecurity field.

• Proven ability to guide and inspire others, fostering a culture of shared ownership and technical excellence.

• Ability to articulate vision clearly and convincingly, collaborating effectively with diverse teams across functions.

• We encourage applications from candidates outside of the Santa Clara, California area and offer relocation assistance to help facilitate a smooth transition for the right talent.

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 $184000 - $230000YR The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found her

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.