Principal Test Engineer

Your Career

At Palo Alto Networks we build the worlds most advanced cybersecurity platforms. The manufacturing operations team is responsible for the manufacturing capabilities to build our next generation network firewalls. We are looking for a talented test engineer with extensive experience in developing diagnostics and validation. The ideal candidate is expected to have a deep test design knowledge of the intricacies of high speed networks and be able to design and build test suite for factory deployment. Primary responsibilities include developing documenting maintaining and executing scalable high performance automated test coverage solutions using JavaScript Python and other languages/tools where appropriate. Candidates are expected to have a passion for replicable structured approaches to automated testing and a desire to collaborate with senior application architects and developers in the creation of automation solutions that other development team members can contribute to independently.

This is an in office role in our HQ (Santa Clara CA)

Your Impact

• Lead the design and development of manufacturing test automation frameworks for complex firewall and security appliance products ensuring high reliability scalability and ease of deployment across global sites
• Drive Design for Testability (DFT) and manufacturing excellence by influencing product architecture early in the development cycleactively participating in PRD discussions system and diagnostic design schematic and layout reviews
• Architect and implement modular extensible and maintainable test automation software for new hardware platforms with integration into remote instrumentation data acquisition and measurement systems
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers and act as a key liaison between R&D manufacturing operations and Contract Manufacturers (CMs)
• Lead root cause analysis and provide advanced debugging tools and strategic guidance to CMs to resolve systemic manufacturing issues
• Work cross-functionally with Program Management Hardware Software and Operations teams to align test coverage with product requirements and delivery timelines
• Drive the standardization of test platforms and promote best practices in automation code reuse and continuous improvement
• Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies or test methodologies to ensure the team stays ahead of evolving manufacturing and diagnostic needs
• Operate autonomously with minimal oversight demonstrating strong ownership strategic thinking and execution capability across multiple projects or product lines
• Represent manufacturing test engineering in executive or technical reviews providing insights into product readiness risk mitigation and coverage metrics

Qualifications :

Your Experience 

• Extensive hands-on experience in programming with a strong emphasis on automated test development and validation in a manufacturing environment
• Proficient in multiple programming languages including C/C Python and Tcl/Tk with the ability to architect scalable and maintainable test frameworks
• Solid understanding of software development best practices including the use of version control systems such as Perforce and SVN
• Experience with relational database design and management particularly MySQL; ability to store query and analyze test data effectively
• Proven track record in defining designing and documenting manufacturing test requirements for complex hardware products
• Strong familiarity with network protocols (e.g. Ethernet TCP/IP) and hardware bus protocols such as I2C SPI UART and PCIe
• Comfortable working in a Linux-based environment; scripting and automation in shell/bash is a plus.
• Experience integrating and using instrumentation APIs and device drivers (e.g. SCPI VISA USB GPIB) for automated control of test equipment
• Familiar with bootloaders and system initialization processes including U-Boot and BIOS/UEFI.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics layout files and system block diagrams and use this information for test development and debug
• Demonstrated strong debugging and troubleshooting skills with the ability to isolate hardware software and firmware issues in a fast-paced environment
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (HW SW Ops) and providing technical leadership in a product development or manufacturing setting
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Electronics Computer Engineering or a related technical discipline or equivalent military experience required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to document test procedures and interface effectively with global teams and contract manufacturers

Additional Information :

The Team

Our World-Wide Operations team is a team of professionals with extensive business and project management experience in the contract manufacturing industry. This team has a proven track record of success in all aspects of supply chain and project management. Were dedicated to growing production reducing operating costs and improving product quality by utilizing World-class Manufacturing concepts to optimize supply chain processes and strategies. Our manufacturing team leadership establishes clear objectives defining and implementing profit improvement and profiling inventory management valuation and lead-time improvement programs. If you have a passion for extensive end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain with the knowledge and experience we want you!

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications experience and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $133000/YR - $215500/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here. 

Our Commitment

Were problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecuritys status quo. Its simple: we cant 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  .

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.