Job Details

Revolutionizing protection.

Define what’s next in cybersecurity.

Senior Principal SQA Engineer

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Product Engineering Ref ID: JR-015007

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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

Job Summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an exceptional Senior Principal Engineer to lead and shape our SD-WAN Datapath testing. In this critical role, you will drive the quality and reliability of our next-generation SD-WAN solutions by designing and implementing advanced test automation, leveraging AI/ML technologies, and establishing best practices for datapath validation at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Architecture: Define and execute comprehensive testing strategies for SD-WAN datapath features including packet forwarding, QoS, traffic shaping, tunneling protocols, and performance optimization
AI-Driven Testing: Design and implement AI/ML-based testing solutions for intelligent test case generation, anomaly detection, predictive failure analysis, and automated root cause identification
Automation Framework Development: Build and maintain robust, scalable test automation frameworks using modern programming languages (Python) and industry-standard tools
Performance & Scale Testing: Develop methodologies to validate datapath performance, throughput, latency, and scalability across diverse network topologies and conditions
Technical Leadership: Mentor engineering teams, conduct design reviews, and establish quality engineering standards across the organization
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with development, product management, and DevOps teams to ensure quality is integrated throughout the SDLC
CI/CD Integration: Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation and rapid feedback
Innovation: Research and evaluate emerging technologies in network testing, AI/ML applications, and test optimization techniques

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering
15+ years of relevant industry experience
Networking Expertise: Deep understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, IPsec, GRE, VXLAN), routing, switching, and network security concepts
Automation Proficiency: 8+ years of experience in test automation with strong programming skills in Python.
AI/ML Knowledge: Hands-on experience applying AI/ML techniques to testing challenges - test optimization, intelligent analytics, pattern recognition, or predictive modeling
Tools & Frameworks: Experience with test frameworks (pytest), traffic generators ( Ixia, Spirent, IPerf), and network simulation tools
System Architecture: Ability to design distributed, scalable test architectures for complex network environments
Problem Solving: Exceptional analytical and debugging skills with proven ability to troubleshoot complex network and software issues
Leadership: Track record of leading technical initiatives and influencing engineering culture

Preferred Qualifications

SD-WAN Experience: Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies, architectures, and vendors (Prisma SD-WAN, Cisco Viptela, VMware VeloCloud, etc.)
Cloud Platforms: Experience testing applications in AWS, Azure, GCP, or multi-cloud environments
Network Performance Analysis: Experience with tools like Wireshark, tcpdump, iperf, and network telemetry platforms

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? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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Current Employees, apply here