Palo Alto Networks · 5 hours ago
Principal Software Automation/Test Engineer
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$147K/yr - $238K/yr
9+ years expPalo Alto Networks is a leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting the digital way of life. As a Principal Software Automation/Test Engineer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the quality and reliability of solutions that secure global enterprises, driving innovation in cloud security testing.
Agentic AICloud SecurityCyber SecurityNetwork SecuritySecurity
No H1B
Responsibilities
Leading the test design and strategy for high-priority, high-impact product features
Design and develop comprehensive test plans and strategies for complex, large-scale features
Tackle the challenges of test strategy for enterprise-grade products and applications
Navigate the complexity of cloud platforms and drive improvements in overall product quality
Collaborate closely with cross-functional roles and peers to achieve shared product quality goals
Design, implement, and continuously enhance test automation efficiency to boost the QA team’s productivity
Establish a standardized methodology for developing and maintaining test automation across the team
Design, develop, and maintain test automation tools and utilities for both backend and UI components
Define, develop, and manage complex testbed environments to support varied test scenarios
Enhance test automation frameworks to ensure they are developer-friendly, robust, highly maintainable, support detailed reporting, facilitate easy debugging, and seamlessly integrate with CI/CD and bug tracking systems for cloud-based applications
Contribute to product decision-making by providing insights into product quality and influencing the development of cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions
Analyze complex issues and defects, guiding root cause analysis during and after releases
Take a leadership role in evolving software testing processes and best practices
Drive improvements in functionality, usability, testability, performance, and production stability, collaborating with architects and engineering teams
Work closely with engineering, product management, UX, documentation, DevOps, and customer engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle—from requirements to release
Define and implement processes for building bi-directional feedback loops with customers to improve quality and satisfaction
Set a strong example and lead Mentor and coach junior QA team members, fostering a culture of growth and excellence
Actively participate in the hiring process and technical interviews for new team members
Demonstrate clear and effective verbal communication skills in team and cross-functional interactions
Qualification
Required
9+ years of experience in technical QA roles within large-scale enterprises or high-growth startups
Strong programming skills in Python; experience with additional languages is a plus
Deep understanding of public cloud platforms, including AWS, GCP, and Azure
Demonstrated experience in developing complex test frameworks from scratch, with a strong focus on scalability and efficiency
Proven ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, tools, and automation frameworks (Pytest, Selenium etc)
Extensive experience in leading QA efforts for distributed systems and SaaS-based products
Expertise in designing and implementing robust test strategies for complex, large-scale systems
Hands-on experience with backend and frontend testing frameworks; passionate about driving continuous improvement in test infrastructure and coverage
Strong troubleshooting skills and proficiency in building and maintaining test tools and automation pipelines
Proven ability to work efficiently with cross-functional teams to identify issues, drive resolutions, and deliver high-quality outcomes
Excellent collaboration skills; a team player with strong ownership and accountability
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
Preferred
Experience in Cloud security industry, or equivalent relevant experience, is advantageous
Benefits
Restricted stock units
Bonus
Company
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity company that offers cybersecurity solutions for organizations.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$65MKey Investors
Icon VenturesLehman HoldingsGlobespan Capital Partners
2012-07-20IPO
2008-11-03Series C· $10M
2008-08-18Series C· $27M
Leadership Team
Helmut Reisinger
CEO EMEA
Nikesh Arora
Chairman CEO
Recent News
2026-01-22
The Motley Fool
2026-01-22
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