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# Senior Staff Engineer Software (Cortex Platform & XSOAR)

- **Company:** Palo Alto Networks
- **Location:** Palo Alto, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $134,600.0 - $217,800.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Data Analysis, Server Applications, ARM Architecture, Microsoft Azure, Command-Line Interface, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Code Review, Cyber Security, Computer Programming, Databases, Data Files, Data Structures, Relational Databases, Distributed Systems, Internet Security, Python (Programming Language), NoSQL, Software Tools, Shell Script, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Backend, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Cortex XSOAR Platform, Docker
- **Published:** October 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/senior-staff-engineer-software-cortex-platform-xsoar-palo-alto-ca--309f3595-ee11-4787-ab61-49287a4e0658

## About the Role

Engineering Software, Leading Edge Technology, Internet Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Problem Solving Skills, Security Infrastructure, Data Sets, Public Cloud, Data Analysis, Operational Improvement, * Education & Experience: B.S. or M.S. degree in Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience, coupled with 5 to 7 years of professional software engineering experience building scalable server-side applications.

 * Programming Expertise: 4+ years of extensive, hands-on programming proficiency in Go and Python.
 * Cloud & Infrastructure: 5+ years of proven experience designing and working with distributed cloud products on major platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure), as well as containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
 * Systems & Databases: Advanced proficiency in Linux/Unix operating systems (command line, networking, shell scripting) and solid experience with both RDBMS and NoSQL database technologies.
 * Distributed Computing: Strong understanding of distributed computing environments, including the implications of the CAP theorem, master election, and split-brain problems.
 * Operational Excellence: Proven experience with production troubleshooting and customer response.

Preferred Qualifications

 * Strong foundational computer science knowledge (e.g., lock-free data structures, bloom filters, minimal perfect hashing, consistent hashing).
 * Familiarity with modern CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code (IaC).
 * Hands-on experience working with AI tools and developing internal tools to streamline engineering workflows.
 * A passionate, can-do attitude with a deep interest in tackling complex technical challenges within the fast-paced cybersecurity sphere.

## Description

The Team Cortex is the industry's only open and integrated, AI-based, continuous security platform. Designed to simplify security operations and drastically improve outcomes, Cortex is deployed on a global, scalable public cloud platform that empowers security operations teams to accelerate the analysis of massive data sets.

The Cortex Platform engineering group is responsible for developing and maintaining the highly scalable backend of our premier Cortex products, including Cortex XSOAR, Cortex XDR, Cortex XSIAM, and our emerging Cortex AI solutions. We operate with high efficiency, swift decision-making, and a deep commitment to bringing unparalleled value to thousands of global customers.

The Opportunity

We are currently scaling our Cortex Platform engineering group and are seeking passionate Senior Staff Software Engineers (5-7 years of experience) to join our ranks. In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to make a massive impact across critical pillars of our engineering organization.

As a pivotal member of the group, you will drive innovation in key focus areas:

 * Core Platform Infrastructure: Innovating and scaling the shared Cortex infrastructures and backend components that power XSOAR, XDR, and XSIAM.
 * XSOAR & AI Development: Designing and implementing robust backend services for Cortex XSOAR (on-prem and SaaS) and pioneering innovative AI-driven solutions to enhance security orchestration, automation, and response.

Key Responsibilities

 * End-to-End Development: Lead the full lifecycle development of robust backend features and core components for Cortex products-from requirements gathering, architecture, and design, to implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
 * High-Scale Engineering: Design, build, and maintain highly scalable, distributed server-side applications, ensuring top-tier reliability, performance, and maintainability.
 * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proactively collaborate and architect solutions with peers across different teams and disciplines, championing a "shared responsibility" model for product development.
 * Production & Customer Excellence: Maintain a production-oriented approach by providing real-time mitigation to production issues. Engage directly with support teams and customers to troubleshoot challenges and deliver robust technical solutions for both SaaS and on-prem environments.
 * Innovation & Architecture: Contribute to team-wide technical decisions and participate actively in code reviews. Apply learnings from new technical challenges to continuously improve system architecture, utilizing modern AI tools and capabilities to ease workflows and advance the Cortex product line.