Senior/Principal Linux Security Analytics Researcher (Cortex)

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 Are you an innovative security researcher with a deep understanding of Linux systems and a passion for protecting modern environments? Do you want to lead the charge in securing enterprise networks against the latest threats? We're looking for a skilled professional to join our team, focusing on the critical and rapidly evolving fields of Linux Security. You'll be a foundational member of a new and growing team dedicated to the blue ocean of detection, developing multiple new capabilities within the largest cybersecurity enterprise in the world. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise and influence the future of threat prevention—helping us build cutting-edge security solutions from the ground up. Key Responsibilitie Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our security solutions. Enhance product effectiveness by designing advanced protection components and developing sophisticated detection rules. Research Linux OS internals, virtualized environments, and malware behaviors to inform and strengthen our attack prevention mechanisms. Apply advanced AI and big data approaches to investigate and analyze large-scale datasets across our client base. Lead research on novel protection concepts and bring them to production-grade quality, serving as a subject matter expert. Stay up to date with the latest attacker methodologies, APT campaigns, and TTPs targeting Linux systems. Conduct static and dynamic reverse engineering of Linux malware to uncover new techniques and develop mitigation strategies. Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and other research teams to translate research findings into production features. Qualifications Required Qualifications 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity research, with a proven track record of impactful projects. Good knowledge of Linux OS internals, including both user and kernel space. Solid knowledge of the cyber threat landscape, modern malware techniques, and APTs. Hands-on experience in real-world threat hunting, incident response, or detection engineering. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C, and/or C++, with a strong understanding of system-level programming and APIs. Excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for cybersecurity innovation. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in a team environment. Preferred Qualifications Background in EDR/XDR products or security solution development. Experience in reverse engineering, including familiarity with debugging and disassembly tools such as GDB, IDA Pro, or Ghidra. Experience in advanced data analysis, statistics, or machine learning for security applications. Experience with Linux kernel development or vulnerability research. Familiarity with virtualization platforms (e.g., ESXi/vCenter). 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.