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Sr Staff Engineer Software (Backend, Distributed Systems, 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 a Sr. Staff Software Engineer Software to be a part of the group that owns our multi-cloud 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
  • 5+ 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 $126000 - $204500/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

$165250 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$126000K
$204500K

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 Sr Staff Engineer Software (Backend, Distributed Systems, Cloud Platform), Palo Alto Networks

Are you a passionate coder with a knack for distributed systems? At Palo Alto Networks, we’re on the lookout for a Senior Staff Engineer Software to join our talented team located in Santa Clara, CA. This isn’t just any position; it’s a chance to work on the cutting-edge of cybersecurity, building multi-cloud data pipelines that handle petabyte-scale data for our industry-leading AI/ML applications. You’ll engage in exciting challenges, driving innovation and making significant contributions to our architecture, design, and development processes. Collaboration is key here, as you will be teaming up with various departments, tackling complex technical issues, and ensuring that our principles of code quality and scalability are upheld. With a solid background of 5+ years in software engineering, proficiency in Java, and familiarity with distributed systems, you’ll help us elevate our products and keep our customers secure. Plus, you’ll enjoy the perks of a supportive environment that prioritizes well-being and professional growth. Join us and be a part of something truly impactful in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Sr Staff Engineer Software (Backend, Distributed Systems, Cloud Platform) Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the main responsibilities of a Senior Staff Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Senior Staff Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks, your key responsibilities include designing and building advanced multi-cloud data pipelines that process and analyze data at a petabyte scale. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, tackle complex technical challenges, and ensure adherence to best practices in code quality and system design.

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What qualifications are needed for the Senior Staff Engineer Software position at Palo Alto Networks?

Candidates must hold a BS in Computer Science or possess equivalent experience, along with 5+ years of software engineering experience. Proficiency in Java, designing scalable distributed systems, and familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or GCP are essential for securing the Senior Staff Engineer Software role at Palo Alto Networks.

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What tools and technologies will I work with as a Senior Staff Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks?

In your role as a Senior Staff Engineer Software at Palo Alto Networks, you will work with a variety of database technologies including MySQL, Cassandra, and ElasticSearch. You’ll also utilize cloud services such as DataFlow and BigQuery, and work with Kubernetes to enhance our solutions.

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Does Palo Alto Networks support remote work for the Senior Staff Engineer Software position?

While Palo Alto Networks values in-person interactions for collaboration and problem-solving, they do offer some flexibility depending on individual needs. As a Senior Staff Engineer Software, you will primarily work full-time from the office, which fosters a strong team environment.

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How does Palo Alto Networks support employee development for the Senior Staff Engineer Software role?

At Palo Alto Networks, employee development is a priority. They offer personalized learning opportunities and various well-being programs, including a FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items to support the unique needs of every employee, including those in the Senior Staff Engineer Software role.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Common Interview Questions for Sr Staff Engineer Software (Backend, Distributed Systems, Cloud Platform)
Can you describe your experience with distributed systems?

When answering this question, emphasize your past projects where you've designed and maintained scalable distributed systems. Highlight specific technologies you've used, like cloud platforms or databases, and discuss how you approached challenges to improve system performance and reliability.

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How do you ensure code quality and best practices in your projects?

This is a great opportunity to detail your experience with code review processes, automated testing, and continuous integration. Provide examples of how you've mentored team members, enforced coding standards, or used tools to improve overall code quality in your previous roles.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What strategies do you use to troubleshoot critical customer defects?

Discuss your analytical thinking and problem-solving process. Explain how you gather data, utilize logging tools, and involve relevant team members to identify root causes quickly. Share a specific instance where your troubleshooting skills led to a swift resolution of a critical issue.

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Can you give an example of how you drove innovation in a previous role?

Choose an example that illustrates your creativity and technical knowledge. Explain a problem you identified and the innovative solution you developed, detailing its impact on the team's efficiency or product quality.

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What cloud services have you worked with, and how did you implement them in your projects?

Provide a rundown of your experience with different cloud services, such as AWS or GCP. Discuss specific projects where you implemented these services, and describe how they contributed to scalability and performance in your applications.

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How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams?

Detail your communication style and teamwork approach. Highlight how you initiate discussions, share ideas, and incorporate feedback from other teams, ensuring alignment towards common goals.

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Describe your experience with DevOps practices.

Explain your familiarity with DevOps, including the tools and methodologies you've employed. Share how these practices improved deployment processes and fostered a culture of collaboration between development and operations teams.

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What’s your experience with coding in Java?

Focus on the depth of your Java experience, including projects where you've implemented complex features or resolved difficult bugs. Talk about any frameworks or libraries you've utilized to streamline development.

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How do you manage project priorities under tight deadlines?

Share your strategies for prioritization, such as the use of Agile methodologies or project management tools. Provide an example where prioritizing effectively led to successful project delivery amidst tight timelines.

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What are the key factors for building scalable data processing systems?

Discuss the importance of architecture choices, such as microservices, load balancing, and data storage solutions. Explain how you ensure that your systems can handle increased load without compromising performance and reliability.

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

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DATE POSTED
March 27, 2025

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