Principal Security Researcher (Cortex - AgentiX)

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.

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.

As a Principal Security Researcher , you will act as an architect for the Autonomous SOC, focusing directly on Cortex AgentiX. You will design and build intelligent, automated investigation and remediation agents that empower thousands of customers to secure their environments at scale. We are looking for a practitioner who combines deep hands-on expertise investigating threats and protecting organizations with a pragmatic approach to solving complex security challenges.

Develop in-product specialized agents to accelerate detection, respond to real-time threats, prioritize, and mitigate risks. Establish guardrails, continuous evaluation metrics, and deterministic controls for agentic AI, ensuring complex multi-step plans execute reliably. Drive the complete product development lifecycle, encompassing definition, design, implementation, and testing phases. Partner cross-functionally with product management, engineering, and research teams.

Required Qualifications 10+ years of hands-on experience securing enterprise organizations. Proven track record in DFIR and threat hunting, including containing and remediating complex security incidents using dozens of tools. Practical experience utilizing industry standard frameworks, such as MITRE ATT&CK, for threat modeling. Coding proficiency, preferably Python. Advanced expertise leveraging AI capabilities for cybersecurity. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to resolve complex challenges. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Experience with Agentic AI SOC and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms, preferably Cortex XSOAR/XSIAM. Relevant security certifications, such as CISSP. 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),