Senior / Principal Security Researcher - AI Group (Cortex)

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 Summary

As a Senior or Principal Security Researcher, you will be part of a strong security research and data science team solving highly complex security challenges using disruptive technologies, AI, and ML algorithms. You will take part in the design and development of new groundbreaking AI security solutions which make a direct impact on many customers. We value diverse viewpoints and experiences as we are solving complex cyber security challenges and are committed to a safe and inclusive workspace.

Key Responsibilities

• Be at the forefront of security innovation, building next-gen detection capabilities powered by AI, deep-learning, machine learning, big data, and deep threat intelligence.
• Dive deep into low-level systems, reverse engineering, and file-type behavior to uncover novel attack vectors - and then turn that insight into scalable, ML-driven protections.
• Work hand-in-hand with rockstar data scientists, engineers, and PMs in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where ideas move quickly from whiteboard to production.
• Lead high-impact research initiatives that fuse classic security expertise with modern data science - shaping models, influencing pipelines, and driving real-world protection outcomes.
• Be a key player in a multidisciplinary team where your deep security expertise will directly influence AI/ML model design, data pipeline strategy, and real-world product impact.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in cyber security research space.
• At least 3 years of experience with endpoint security research or offensive/defensive low-level, file related realms.
• Proven experience in the low level world, including OS internals, dynamic and static analysis of malware and software and reverse engineering.
• Proven experience in running end-to-end research POCs from ideas to customer impact solutions including the design, execution, analysis and conclusions of your research, methodologies and outcomes.
• Investigation skills and critical thinking using analytics, data mining, and data interpretation.
• Familiarity with analysis of various file types.
• Proficient hands-on coding skills in Python.
• Experience with SQL or related query languages.
• Excellent communication skills - ability to present research results in a clear and meaningful manner.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in C/CPP.
• Experience with data-driven or ML models.
• Experience with big data platforms (e.g GCP).
  
  

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, 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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.