Principal Thermal Hardware Engineer (NetSec)

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!

Your Career

We are seeking an experienced Thermal Engineer to support the development and optimization of thermal solutions for PAN (Product Area Network) products. In this role, you will collaborate directly with mechanical engineers to design, evaluate, and improve thermal systems. You will ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in all thermal aspects of our NPI (New Product Introduction) and sustaining programs.

Your Impact

• Support all PAN product development thermal effort in both NPI & Sustaining
• Support ASIC team in the determining thermal package performance prior to release for manufacture
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to co-develop NPI product thermal solutions
• Conduct early-stage thermal feasibility studies and case studies to evaluate design viability & product environmental requirements
• Create, present and maintain thermal simulation models throughout the product development from conceptual to FCS
• Optimize both internal and external thermal design solutions to ensure high-quality, low-cost solutions
• Attend regularly scheduled engineering meetings to review progress and updates
• Co-present thermal solutions, risk during system design reviews at each release
• Support thermal profiling testing. Review and approve the final thermal reports prior to each  mechanical release 
• Assist with sustaining thermal efforts when requested, ensuring long-term product performance
• Support PAN NPI sustaining programs during early development phases, including tasks like air temperature plots, junction/case temperatures, enclosure touch temperatures, and heat spreader/heat sink design guidelines
• Provide practical recommendations on thermal interface materials, assembly mounting, and overall thermal solution performance

Your Experience 

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of both active and passive thermal design solutions
• Strong understanding of telecom 19" rack and desktop design solutions
• Ability to work across functional teams, including hardware engineering, operations, manufacturing, and quality teams
• Excellent understanding of ASIC package design

Communication

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate thermal concepts and collaborate with various stakeholders

Experience

• 7-10 years of experience in PAN product design, specializing in both passive and active cooling solutions
• Flowtherm & Icepak modeling capabilities

Education

• PhD, MS, or BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent military experience required

Additional Information

• You will be an integral part of our product development lifecycle, providing essential thermal solutions for both new product introductions and sustaining programs
• This role requires flexibility and a proactive mindset, as you will be supporting multiple efforts simultaneously across various stages of development

The Team

To stay ahead of the curve, it’s critical to know where the curve is, and how to anticipate the changes we’re facing. For the fastest growing cybersecurity company, the curve is the evolution of cyberattacks, and the products and services that proactively address them. Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. They are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. These engineers aren’t shy about creating products to solve problems no one has tackled before. They define the industry, instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

Our engineering team is provided with an unrivaled opportunity to build the products and practices that will support our company growth over the next decade, defining the cybersecurity industry as we know it. If you see the potential of how incredible people & products can transform a business, this is the team for you. If you don’t wait for directions, instead, identifying new features and opportunities we have to just get better, this is your new career.

Why Palo Alto Networks?

• Develop NPI hardware in a creative and innovative environment
• Imagine new opportunities in areas that matter and will impact the world you live in
• Be a part of a high performing team of the world's best cybersecurity companies
• FLEXwork arrangements to support you in working in the way that you work best

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 $166000/YR - $267500/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.