Security Research Manager - Cloud - Security Automation ( Cortex)

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!

Job Description

Your Career

Are you excited about leading a team of researchers who are redefining how cloud security is automated? Do you want to shape the future of an Autonomous SOC by building the next generation of remediation and response content?

As the Cloud Cybersecurity Research Manager, you will lead a team of talented researchers creating autonomous remediation plans for cloud runtime and posture issues. You will drive innovation, mentor researchers, and ensure our automation content is precise, safe, and impactful. This role combines hands-on technical knowledge with strategic leadership, empowering your team to deliver solutions that protect customers at scale.

Your Impact

Lead and mentor a team of cloud security researchers, fostering technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration
Define research priorities and guide the design of robust, testable, and autonomous remediation plans for cloud runtime and posture issues (CSPM, DSPM, CIEM, CNAPP, IAM, etc.)

Ensure high-quality delivery of SOAR playbooks and automation content aligned with customer needs and company vision

Collaborate with product, engineering, and threat research teams to maximize the impact of remediation content

Establish processes, KPIs, and best practices to continuously improve research output, playbook quality, and operational efficiency

Stay up to date with attacker TTPs, cloud-native threats, and emerging technologies to guide team direction

Qualifications

Your Experience

Proven management experience leading research or security engineering teams, ideally in a cloud or cybersecurity environment
Strong background in cloud security operations and incident response, with expertise in runtime and posture issues
Track record of delivering automation or playbook-driven remediation at scale
Excellent leadership, mentoring, and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into strategic priorities
Hands-on proficiency in Python and familiarity with SQL or similar query languages
Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage stakeholders across research, product, and engineering

Advantages

Experience scaling and managing high-performing technical teams in cybersecurity or cloud domains
Familiarity with big data platforms (e.g., GCP BigQuery, AWS Athena)
Exposure to security tools such as XDR, EDR, CSPM, DSPM, CNAPP, CIEM, and SOAR
Intimate knowledge of attacker methods and cloud-native threats
Experience integrating machine learning or data-driven methodologies into security research

Additional Information

The Team

Our research team is at the core of our products and connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating — challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our researchers 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.

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.