Overview As a Principal Architect, you act as an trusted advisor guiding clients through cybersecurity transformation. You will influence strategic outcomes by delivering architecture-focused engagements that align customer priorities with the Palo Alto Networks platform. You lead cross-functional teams to shape advisory roadmaps and ensure value realization in large, strategic accounts. This role sits at the intersection of sales effectiveness and technical leadership, offering meaningful impact at scale. You will engage executives to drive secure, business-driven outcomes and represent the company's architectural vision.
Compensation / Benefits- base salary + bonus potential
- restricted stock units
- employee benefits
Responsibilities- Establish executive-level relationships in strategic accounts
- Drive transformation-focused conversations aligned with Palo Alto Networks' architectural view
- Deliver architectural assessments and client workshops to set strategic agendas
- Develop business cases for measurable security outcomes and cost management
- Collaborate with sales/engineering to expand opportunities and align campaigns
- Partner with Product Management and specialist teams to address market needs
- Maintain continuous technical leadership across security technologies and evolving topics
- Coordinate with Sales, Solution Consulting, and other groups to ensure a cohesive market approach
Key requirements- 10+ years of experience in a customer, vendor, or consulting role in cybersecurity
- BSCS or equivalent degree/experience
- Extensive knowledge of core security architectures across networks, endpoints, and hybrid environments
- Solid background in networking and/or cloud computing
- Hands-on experience in security operations, threat detection/response, or incident response
- General knowledge of SIEM, endpoint security, network security, SASE/Zero Trust, and cloud security
- Executive presence with credibility in discussions with C-level leaders
- Strong written/verbal communication and presentation skills
- Proactive, problem-solving mindset with persistence in challenging situations
- Willingness to travel 50%+ of the fiscal year
- Executive presence
- Strategic communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Security architectures (network, endpoint, cloud)
- SASE/Zero Trust
- Security operations and threat detection/response
