Principal Test Engineer, Palo Alto Networks
$133-215.5k
5 days a week in office (Santa Clara, CA)
Leading cybersecurity protections and software platform
Be an early applicant
Leading cybersecurity protections and software platform
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
$133-215.5k
5 days a week in office (Santa Clara, CA)
1001+ employees
Company mission
To be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Role
Who you are
- We are looking for a talented test engineer with extensive experience in developing diagnostics and validation
- The ideal candidate is expected to have a deep test design knowledge of the intricacies of high speed networks, and be able to design and build test suite for factory deployment
- Extensive hands-on experience in programming, with a strong emphasis on automated test development and validation in a manufacturing environment
- Proficient in multiple programming languages, including C/C++, Python, Node.js, and Tcl/Tk, with the ability to architect scalable and maintainable test frameworks
- Solid understanding of software development best practices, including the use of version control systems such as Perforce and SVN
- Experience with relational database design and management, particularly MySQL; ability to store, query, and analyze test data effectively
- Proven track record in defining, designing, and documenting manufacturing test requirements for complex hardware products
- Strong familiarity with network protocols (e.g., Ethernet, TCP/IP) and hardware bus protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, and PCIe
- Comfortable working in a Linux-based environment; scripting and automation in shell/bash is a plus
- Experience integrating and using instrumentation APIs and device drivers (e.g., SCPI, VISA, USB, GPIB) for automated control of test equipment
- Familiar with bootloaders and system initialization processes, including U-Boot and BIOS/UEFI
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, layout files, and system block diagrams, and use this information for test development and debug
- Demonstrated strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to isolate hardware, software, and firmware issues in a fast-paced environment
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (HW, SW, Ops) and providing technical leadership in a product development or manufacturing setting
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline or equivalent military experience required
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document test procedures and interface effectively with global teams and contract manufacturers
- If you have a passion for extensive end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain with the knowledge and experience, we want you!
What the job involves
- At Palo Alto Networks, we build the world’s most advanced cybersecurity platforms. The manufacturing operations team is responsible for the manufacturing capabilities to build our next generation network firewalls
- Primary responsibilities include developing, documenting, maintaining and executing scalable, high performance automated test coverage solutions using JavaScript, Python, and other languages/tools where appropriate
- Candidates are expected to have a passion for replicable, structured approaches to automated testing and a desire to collaborate with senior application architects and developers in the creation of automation solutions that other development team members can contribute to independently
- Lead the design and development of manufacturing test automation frameworks for complex firewall and security appliance products, ensuring high reliability, scalability, and ease of deployment across global sites
- Drive Design for Testability (DFT) and manufacturing excellence by influencing product architecture early in the development cycle—actively participating in PRD discussions, system and diagnostic design, schematic and layout reviews
- Architect and implement modular, extensible, and maintainable test automation software for new hardware platforms, with integration into remote instrumentation, data acquisition, and measurement systems
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers, and act as a key liaison between R&D, manufacturing operations, and Contract Manufacturers (CMs)
- Lead root cause analysis and provide advanced debugging tools and strategic guidance to CMs to resolve systemic manufacturing issues
- Work cross-functionally with Program Management, Hardware, Software, and Operations teams to align test coverage with product requirements and delivery timelines
- Drive the standardization of test platforms and promote best practices in automation, code reuse, and continuous improvement
- Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies or test methodologies to ensure the team stays ahead of evolving manufacturing and diagnostic needs
- Operate autonomously with minimal oversight, demonstrating strong ownership, strategic thinking, and execution capability across multiple projects or product lines
- Represent manufacturing test engineering in executive or technical reviews, providing insights into product readiness, risk mitigation, and coverage metrics
- Our World-Wide Operations team is a team of professionals with extensive business and project management experience in the contract manufacturing industry
- This team has a proven track record of success in all aspects of supply chain and project management
- We’re dedicated to growing production, reducing operating costs, and improving product quality by utilizing World-class Manufacturing concepts to optimize supply chain processes and strategies
- Our manufacturing team leadership establishes clear objectives, defining and implementing profit improvement and profiling inventory management, valuation, and lead-time improvement programs
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. Recently the company surpassed $1.5M 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 position in the market.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
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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