Principal Security Researcher - Cloud & AI (Cortex Cloud)

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Description

The Team

This is one of the most impactful and innovative teams within Cortex Cloud.

We’re a small, senior group of researchers responsible for uncovering vulnerabilities, modeling attacker behavior, and leading product innovation across the posture management platform. Our work has led to multiple vulnerability disclosures in GCP and Azure, and we regularly publish blogs, speak at top conferences, and collaborate with cloud vendors to push the industry forward.

But research is just the beginning. We turn findings into real-world protection- designing detections, building proof-of-concepts, and working closely with product and engineering to bring our ideas to life. The detections we build, the attack paths we model, and the features we invent are used by thousands of customers across Cortex Cloud’s key modules: CIEM, DSPM, AISPM, and KSPM.

Job Summary

As a Principal Security Researcher on the Cortex Cloud research team, you’ll lead deep, hands-on security research across cloud and AI environments- from uncovering vulnerabilities and novel attack paths to building the protections that stop them.

Your impact doesn’t end with detections. This team is also responsible for driving product innovation: identifying gaps in how cloud environments are secured, finding new ways to close those gaps, and partnering with engineering, product and marketing to take those ideas from a POC to implementation. Whether it’s a new detection engine, risk signal, or protection method- your research directly shapes the product.

You'll research the AI attack surface in depth, and push the boundaries of what cloud and AI security can achieve. If you're looking for a role where research leads to real-world defense- and product innovation is part of your day job- this is the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and uncover vulnerabilities and abuse paths in cloud services, with a strong focus on AI, identity, and data pipelines
• Collaborate with product and engineering to ship detections and logic based on your findings
• Research-driven impact - drive innovation from idea to execution: Identify emerging security gaps, build proof-of-concepts, and partner with engineering, product and marketing to translate research into actual product features and detection logic.
• Represent the team through public blogs, conferences and research collaborations with cloud vendorsPublish internal or external research and represent the team at industry events or blogs.
• Lead the discovery of novel attack vectors- e.g., cross-tenant access, NHI abuse, RAG poisoning, privilege escalation
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years in security research, including at least 2 years focused on cloud security
• Deep understanding of IAM, network, and data services posture in AWS, Azure, or GCP Research
• Strong understanding of the attacker’s mindset and proven experience in applying defensive tactics
• Hands-on experience in programming and scripting with C++/Python
• Experience with AI / Web/ Cloud/ K8S vulnerability research
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute research from ideation through POC to full implementation
• Nice to have: Hands-on experience detecting or simulating attacks in AI pipelines (e.g., RAG poisoning, prompt injection, model exfiltration)
• Public research, blog posts, or conference presentations
• Resourcefulness and creativity in problem-solving, achieving high standards in challenging scenarios
• Deep understanding of the cybersecurity market, including key players, customer needs, and emerging trends
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to lead initiatives and work collaboratively across the organization
  
  

Additional Information

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 accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

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.