Principal Security Researcher; Malware Research - Anti-Virus Systems

Position: Principal Security Researcher (Malware Research - Anti-Virus Systems)
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 Your Career As a Principal Security Researcher (Antivirus Systems), we are looking for an experienced, motivated, intelligent, hardworking and creative individual to join our team that develops the content to power the Palo Alto Networks’ Next Generation Firewall. You will work with the best security team in the industry, who invented the well-known cloud-based security platform Wild Fire. You will be responsible for a highly automated, 24/7 anti-virus signature generation and delivery system.

You will have a deep understanding of the signature generation logic as well as create new security detection features.

Your Impact Develop new features for the automated anti-virus signature generation and delivery system

Research and implement signature algorithms for new file formats

Research and develop novel security and malware detection features

Research on and publish about innovations & emerging security trends

Qualifications Your Experience BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or equivalent military experience required6 to 8+ years of relevant experience preferred

Experience with Python/Golang programming language

Strong core Computer Engineering skills such as databases, operating systems, algorithms

Working knowledge and interest in learning common file formats (PE, Office, PDF etc)

Experience with reverse engineering and malware analysis

Understanding of networking and core Internet protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP)

Experience with a data pipeline based system with several moving components in a distributed cloud environment

Experience with developing in a public cloud environment such as GCP, AWSTroubleshooting and virtualization experience in Linux Strong problem solving abilities

Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills

Knowledge/experience with tools such as Docker, Elastic-Search, Kafka, RabbitMQ, MySQL, SQLite, Redis is a big plus Experience in implementing security solutions using AI Compensation Disclosure The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below.

The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.$ - $/yrOur Commitment We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s…