Principal Security Researcher, OT/Healthcare

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

• Collaborate closely with other researchers to identify security risks across hardware, firmware, and software.

• Reverse engineer firmware and binaries across ARM, MIPS, and x86_64 platforms.

• Leverage automation, AI, and emerging technologies to accelerate and scale offensive security research.

• Communicate findings through publications, blogs, conference talks, and most importantly, product features and security improvements.

• Develop proof-of-concepts and proof-of-value demonstrations to validate impact and drive remediation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience, or a track record of exceptional accomplishments demonstrating equivalent expertise.

• Strong reverse engineering and code review skills, with experience identifying both novel and known vulnerabilities.

• Demonstrated experience reverse engineering boot ROMs, firmware, or silicon-level components.

• Deep understanding of kernel internals, secure boot architectures, and hardware-software interactions.

• Experience designing, building, and validating secure boot chains and threat models.

• Hands-on experience with hardware debugging and analysis tools, including UART, JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to explain complex technical concepts through clear, engaging storytelling.

• A proven track record of vulnerability research and developing PoCs or PoVs that demonstrate exploitability and real-world impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience reverse engineering IoT malware.

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.

$162,700.00 - $263,175.00/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  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.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: Yes