From Engineer to People Manager at Palo Alto Networks in Spain

Edurne Vitas

Manager, Technical Customer Support, Focused Services

EMEA | Blog | Innovation & Impact

Monday, March 10, 2025

From Engineer to People Manager at Palo Alto Networks in Spain

My career has meant different things to me at different points in my life. I was born and raised in a small town in Spain and I was the first and only member of my family to live abroad. It all started as an adventure, a “what if” that ended up as my way of life.

I focused on technical education for many years, collecting engineering degrees and certifications and working on jobs that would allow me to further learn and develop, while somewhere along the way I realized that what I loved even more than technology was people.

So I began the journey of becoming a manager from both a theoretical and practical point of view combining an MBA while performing the job, and I can tell that was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

And it’s that decision that took my fate into an unexpected turn when one day Palo Alto Networks offered me a position leading a fast growing team back from the country I had left behind a good 12 years prior.

There is a different sense of accomplishment when luck comes lurking around after many years working on beating it. And there are many new fears unlocked towards change when you’re at the comfortable position you’ve worked hard to get to. But what is life without a bit of a thrill.

Once recognized as a professional, it is necessary to review what impact we’re having in society, what we are bringing to the table, and what mission we want to live by. Palo Alto Networks offered not only that, but also a beautiful community of colleagues for whom I’m thankful every day, because it’s not only about what you do, but who you do it with.

I started with Palo Alto Networks three years ago and in all this time I’ve seen my team double every year with talented engineers and best of all, great people. I am still in awe of how this company transforms and develops to keep being a true leader in the cybersecurity market and yet, avoid losing its essence; its culture, which to me is the most valuable asset we have.

I am proud to be part of this company and help make the world a safer place and I can’t wait to see what this amazing group of people we’re becoming is going to accomplish together in the years to come.