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# Engineer Software (Cortex Platform

- **Company:** Palo Alto Networks
- **Location:** United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $248,700.0 - $341,250.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, ARM Architecture, Sound Recording and Reproduction, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Profiling, Databases, Software Debugging, Distributed Systems, Performance Tuning, Concurrency, Build Management
- **Published:** October 16, 2026
- **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/distinguished-engineer-software-cortex-platform-paloaltonetworks-com-10477942

## About the Role

* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to influence engineers, managers, and executives without formal authority.
 * Deep, practical AI expertise, including a proven track record of building AI systems and designing AI-driven engineering processes.
 * Broad technical depth across architecture, distributed systems, cloud, and data, with the ability to make rapid, sound technology choices.
 * Deep expertise in OS internals, networking, concurrency, storage, database internals, low-level debugging, and performance profiling.
 * Extensive experience interviewing senior engineers and a strong understanding of high-quality engineering standards.
 * Exceptional drive and ownership, demonstrating a strong bias for action and consistent delivery under pressure.
 * Eagerness to embed within product teams as a hands-on engineer, delivering roadmaps while mastering internal systems.
 * Extensive experience as a senior hands-on engineer, with a track record as the go-to technical expert on complex, high-stakes systems., * Strong background in cybersecurity is highly advantageous.
 * Proven DevOps experience or equivalent hands-on infrastructure knowledge.
 * Demonstrated hacker mindset with a deep curiosity about how systems function and how they can be broken.

#LI-HYBRID

## Description

We are seeking a Distinguished Engineer to join the Cortex Cloud team as a senior technical leader and hands-on expert, driving innovation across high-stakes, AI-native projects. In this pivotal role, you will embed within critical initiatives, accelerating delivery and elevating the engineering standards of our entire organization. By combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision, you will architect scalable solutions, resolve complex challenges, and optimize system performance. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and excel at mentoring teams to build robust, cloud-based software, this is your opportunity to make a massive impact., * Embed in high-profile projects to set technical direction, run rapid experiments, and deliver critical-path code.

 * Drive cross-team alignment by coordinating dependencies and clearing blockers to ensure focused, timely delivery.
 * Lead high-leverage technical initiatives, such as AI-native workflows, to multiply the productivity of the engineering group.
 * Design and build innovative AI-driven systems and processes that transform how software is built, tested, and shipped.
 * Continuously identify, research, and drive strategic initiatives to significantly improve engineering velocity across the organization.
 * Act as a trusted technical advisor to leadership and conduct senior technical interviews to raise the hiring bar.
 * Mentor engineers through hands-on collaboration, elevating technical standards and performance across every team you engage with.