Distinguished Engineer, Palo Alto Networks
Client Platform Access Agent
$248.7-341.3k
More information about location
Leading cybersecurity protections and software platform
Open for applications
Leading cybersecurity protections and software platform
1001+ employees
Open for applications
$248.7-341.3k
More information about location
1001+ employees
Company mission
To be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Role
Who you are
- Seasoned and accomplished leadership in Endpoint systems development, core networking, and/or OS-level software development
- Cross-Product Impact: Track record of defining cross-team architecture that was successfully adopted across multiple product groups
- Deep OS Internals: Expert hands-on knowledge in at least two target platforms:
- Windows: Kernel/driver models, WFP, services, OS process architecture
- MacOS: XPC, System/Network Extensions, IOKit, code-signing, notarization
- Linux: Netlink, routing, network namespaces, DNS handling
- Legacy Refactoring: Proven experience decomposing complex C/C++ codebases into modular, testable components using incremental, safe refactoring patterns
- Technical Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to align senior engineers and executives behind complex architectural shifts
Desirable
- Hands-on experience with VPN, ZTNA, or SASE client technologies (IPsec/IKEv2, TLS/DTLS, QUIC/MASQUE, split tunneling, posture assessment)
- Experience shipping multi-platform agents at scale (millions of active endpoints) with staged rollouts and telemetry-backed observability
- Background integrating AI/ML models into software engineering workflows
What the job involves
- As a Distinguished Engineer you will be the chief architect and technical authority for Palo Alto Networks’ access agent platform. You will own the unified architectural vision across our core endpoint clients including GlobalProtect, Prisma Access Agent, ADEM, and many others spanning Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- In this high-visibility role, you will lead the evolution of our endpoint portfolio from distinct product agents into a unified, high-performing platform foundation. By establishing shared networking, IPC, core application logic, and observability layers, you will ensure that every capability and performance optimization built in one agent automatically powers them all
- Furthermore, you will define how endpoint software is engineered in an AI-native world embedding automated defect verification, intelligent telemetry analysis, and smart crash triage into our global release pipeline
- This is a high-leverage "build-the-foundation" role with direct executive sponsorship, a clear evidence-backed mandate, and an organization ready to execute under your vision
- Define the Platform Architecture: Architect a high-performance, modular core for networking, crypto, configuration, and telemetry that sibling products configure rather than rebuild
- Establish Secure Seams & Extensions: Create localized plugin models so that new auth methods, protocol extensions, or tunnel types land once and become immediately available across all platforms
- Systemic Quality & Reliability by Design: Own the endpoint architecture standardizing peer identity, least-privilege decomposition, resilient error handling, and memory safety directly into type systems and CI/CD gates
- Pioneer AI-Native Workflows & Supportability: Integrate AI-driven software design, development, automated crash triage, and automated regression verification into standard build pipelines across millions of active enterprise endpoints
- Drive Technical Excellence: Set engineering standards, author key Architectural Decision Records (ADRs), mentor principal and senior talent, and represent our technical strategy with customers and engineering partners
Our take
With cyber threats evolving at lightening speed, businesses need robust solutions to protect their data and infrastructure. And the global cybersecurity market is projected to grow significantly, driven by increasing cyberattacks and the adoption of digital transformation initiatives. Because of this, companies are seeking security platforms that can address these challenges efficiently.
That's where Palo Alto Networks steps in, a frontrunner in the cybersecurity arena. It offers a suite of AI-powered security solutions designed to safeguard enterprises across various sectors. Its platforms, such as Cortex XSIAM and Prisma AIRS, integrate advanced threat detection, zero trust architecture, and real-time response capabilities so organizations are ready to manage and mitigate risks.
Its leadership is evident too, with impressive growth and strategic partnerships. In 2025, the company surpassed $1.5B in sales through the Google Cloud Marketplace, highlighting the demand for its innovative security solutions. Additionally, a collaboration with AT&T aims to enhance cybersecurity offerings, further solidifying its market position.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
119% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Sep 2022
$34m
SERIES A
May 2022
$11m
SEED
Total funding: $45m
Company benefits
- Healthcare: We value your health and provide options so you can choose what best supports your lifestyle and personal health goals. Various nationwide plans — including Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, VSP, and more — are available to you and your family. Our providers offer the flexibility you want and the coverage you need
- Wellness: With a large on-site gym and daily, instructor-led exercise classes at HQ in Santa Clara, Palo Alto Networks actively supports employee fitness. Our juice bar, Gym & Juice, features fresh juice blends, a quick and nutritious option pre- or post-workout. And our ongoing wellness speaker series highlights the latest trends in health and wellness
- Development: Professional development is serious business at Palo Alto Networks, where the Talent Development team offers 25+ courses to help employees boost their careers and develop leadership capability
- Financial: Most roles are eligible for equity grants, and we now offer new hires a quarterly vesting schedule right away. We want you to be fairly compensated and rewarded as soon as you make an impact – on our team, that happens immediately! And because we consider every employee a stakeholder in our long-term success, we offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with a 24-month lookback. From life insurance to health savings accounts, we provide ways to help you protect and grow your wealth. Palo Alto Networks offers both traditional and Roth 401(k) options, along with a company match of 50% to a max annual amount of $1,000
- Time Off: In addition to paid corporate holidays, Flexible Time Off programs empower our employees to balance their work schedules with personal time off. We offer 12 weeks of full pay for medical leave and 6 weeks of full pay for parental leave. As a company with strong ties to the military and veterans, we also offer 26 weeks of full pay for military leave
- Perks: Our corporate discount program provides employees with significant discounts on merchandise, travel and entertainment. We offer many on-site perks at headquarters, including cafeterias, fuel service, dry cleaning service, EV charging stations, and a company store. We also provide complimentary drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks in break rooms across our campus to help everyone power through the day. Life at Palo Alto Network
Company HQ
Santa Clara, CA
Leadership
Nikesh Arora
(CEO & Chairman)Previously the President and COO at SoftBank, CBO at Google, and CMO at T-Mobile.
Nir Zuk
(Founder & CTO)Previously CTO at NetScreen Technologies, which was acquired by Juniper Neworks in 2004. They also co-founded OneSecure where they served as CTO and was the Principal Engineer at Check Point Software Technologies.
Lee Klarich
(CPO)Initially joined Palo Alto in 2006 as the EVP of Product Management and became CPO in 2018. Prior to this, they were the Director of Product Management at Juniper Networks and a Product Line Manager at NetScreen Technologies.
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