Sr Staff Security Researcher (Wildfire)
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 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 Description
Your Career
The WildFire Team, part of the Cloud Delivered Security Service (CDSS) organization, is dedicated to relentlessly innovating and delivering cutting-edge security services that automatically prevent cyberattacks. Our engineering and Security Research team forms the core of our products, providing top-tier cloud security services to combat cyber threats. We challenge conventional thinking in cybersecurity, empowering our teams to tackle and solve unprecedented problems.
As a Security Researcher on this team, you will play a crucial role in developing automated defenses against emerging and sophisticated file-based threats and malware. Your expertise will be instrumental in translating deep threat knowledge into scalable, productized detection capabilities.
Your Impact
Direct the in-depth analysis of emerging malware and sophisticated file-based threats from high-volume artifact data, maintaining an authoritative understanding of the threat landscape, actors, and attack vectors.
Design and validate novel detection methods by leveraging data science techniques, including statistical modeling and machine learning, to automatically identify threats at scale.
Translate research prototypes into robust, scalable, and extensible detection and prevention systems. Participate in the full software lifecycle, from architectural design through deployment.
Serve as the critical link between research and engineering, transforming discoveries into impactful product features. Establish industry expertise through white papers and presentations.
Qualifications
Your Experience
3+ years of hands-on experience in malware analysis & detection (static and dynamic), threat research and reverse engineering on common file formats (PE, ELF, PDF, Office, Scripts, etc).
Experience developing high-performance, scalable tools or systems for automated analysis and threat detection.
Proficiency in at least one of the programming languages: Python, Golang, C.
Creative thinker and team player. Have great passion and be highly self-motivated in data-driven security research.
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills;
Experience with public cloud development, e.g., GCP, AWS, Azure is a plus
Knowledge of AI/ML and experience in data driven approaches is a plus.
Hands on and can-do attitude, willing to learn new technologies.
Be comfortable working independently and efficiently.
BS/MS in Computer Science or related fields with security research experience; PhD in cybersecurity is a plus.
Additional Information
The Team
Our engineering team is at the core of our products – connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating – challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers 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.
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/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $139600/YR - $225750/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.
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.