Overview As a Principal Architect, you will be a trusted advisor guiding clients through cybersecurity transformation while aligning with Palo Alto Networks' platform. In this director-level role, you lead cross-functional engagements to shape strategic roadmaps and ensure security solutions meet executive priorities. You'll work with field teams to accelerate sales through high-impact architectural engagements and value-driven proposals. This role offers the chance to influence large enterprise security programs and drive meaningful outcomes at scale.
Compensation / Benefits- remote role
- base salary + commission target (for sales roles)
- restricted stock units
- bonus
- accommodations for disabilities
- annual compensation range eligibility
Responsibilities- Establish executive relationships in strategic accounts and steer advisory engagements
- Lead client workshops, architectural assessments, and design sessions to align with customer priorities
- Advance sales productivity through strategic architectural engagements and expanded opportunities
- Collaborate with Product Management and various internal teams to address market needs and competitive insights
- Develop differentiated proposals demonstrating business and technical value
- Coordinate with Sales, Solution Consulting, Unit42, and Customer Success to ensure a coordinated market approach
Key requirements- 10+ years of experience in a customer, vendor, or consulting cybersecurity role
- BSCS or equivalent degree/experience
- Extensive knowledge of core security architectures across network, endpoint, and hybrid environments
- Strong fundamentals in networking and/or cloud computing
- Deep experience designing/implementing/operating network security and/or SASE solutions
- Knowledge in security operations, SIEM, identity management, and AI-related cybersecurity topics
- Executive presence with ability to engage C-suite stakeholders
- Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills
- Proven problem-solving ability under pressure
- Willingness to travel 50%+ of weeks per fiscal year
- executive presence
- strong communication
- problem solving
- network security
- SASE/Zero Trust
- cloud security
