Principal Data Scientist

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

As a Principal Data Scientist, you will apply your expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and cybersecurity to build new AI-based defense techniques against cyber-threats. You will be a driving force in designing and developing groundbreaking, ML-based security solutions that block attacks even before they begin, shaping the future of cybersecurity and impacting millions of customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to a diverse and highly skilled research group that pioneers state-of-the-art technologies to protect our customers.

• Utilize analytical rigor, statistical methods, programming, and data modeling to analyze vast amounts of data, applying your cybersecurity knowledge to guide our focus and approach.

• Decompose complex problems scientifically and provide actionable insights and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Lead and collaborate on end-to-end projects within the team and across engineering and product teams, from initial ideation to final deployment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience delivering production-grade data science and machine learning projects.

• Proven track record in applied data science for cybersecurity.

• Deep expertise in probability, statistics, and machine learning, with a proven ability to select, adapt, and apply advanced algorithms to real-world problems.

• Proven deep learning experience, including model design, training, and evaluation.

• Strong proficiency in Python with solid working knowledge of SQL.

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end research POCs, from problem formulation and experimental design through execution, analysis, and final recommendations.

• Strong emphasis on engineering-quality, production-ready code with high standards for reliability, scalability, and maintainability.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical insights to both technical and business stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with detection and response platforms (XDR, EDR, or NDR).

• Experience working with Big Data platforms (e.g., GCP, BigQuery, Dataflow).

• Familiarity with cloud-native architectures and MLOps tools for managing the model lifecycle at scale.

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.