Principal Architect

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!

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Summary

Job Summary As a Principal Architect, you will serve as a trusted executive advisor responsible for influencing our clients’ cybersecurity transformation strategies. This role enhances field sales productivity by delivering business-relevant consulting to strategic customers. You will lead cross-functional teams to orchestrate advisory-style engagements, ensuring sales campaigns align with customer executive priorities and drive them to successful security outcomes. Key Responsibilities Establish and maintain executive-level relationships (CISO and above) in strategic accounts to drive growth. Advocate for Palo Alto Networks’ transformative solution architectures, reshaping client security strategies through strategic conversations. Proactively collaborate and exchange information with sales, engineering, and Unit42 teams to develop differentiated proposals that demonstrate clear business and technical value. Conduct high-impact consulting engagements, including architectural assessments and workshops, to set a strategic agenda with the customer. Identify and document client strategic goals and priority outcomes, working with specialists to build business cases around measurable benefits. Provide expert insights to clients on risk reduction, operational excellence, and cost management. Serve as a key resource to Product Management, providing insights on current challenges, competitive intelligence, and emerging market needs. Challenge curiously by maintaining continuous learning to sustain technical leadership across security technologies, cyber threat intelligence, and emerging tech like AI.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 8+ years of experience in a senior role as an end customer, cybersecurity vendor, or consultant. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (BSCS) or equivalent practical experience. Deep technical knowledge of and hands-on experience with security operations, SIEM, endpoint security, and incident response. Demonstrable experience establishing credibility and delivering strategic messaging to large enterprise executives (CISO and above). Ability to travel a minimum of 50% of the time to customer and company locations. Preferred Qualifications Experience with network security, SASE/Zero Trust, cloud security, and identity management. Strong fundamental knowledge of networking and/or cloud computing principles and practices. Proven ability to analyze complex problems with a systematic approach to find and solve root causes, even under pressure. Exceptional organizational and presentation skills, with strong written and verbal communication abilities.

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.

$186,000.00 - $255,000.00/yr

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.