Senior Principal Engineer Software

Role Description

Unit 42 offers industry-leading threat intelligence and incident response. As a Sr Principal Software Engineer (Backend-Focused), you will be the primary technical leader responsible for architecting and modernizing the backend infrastructure that powers Unit 42’s intelligence platforms. This role is for a 'Full-stack aware' engineer who prioritizes backend resilience and scalability, is an expert in leveraging AI-assisted environments like Cursor or Claude to maximize code velocity, and will initially own critical backend initiatives as an Individual Contributor while preparing to grow and mentor a team of junior backend engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion the use of AI tools (Cursor/Claude) throughout the development lifecycle to enforce coding standards, automate boilerplate, and accelerate technical debt resolution.
• Lead the design and implementation of highly resilient, distributed backend services (Go, Python, C++), prioritizing deep backend architectural health while maintaining sufficient frontend literacy to guide full-stack product outcomes.
• Act as an Individual Contributor for complex, greenfield backend projects, establishing the technical roadmap and mentorship framework to guide and grow junior backend engineers as the team scales.
• Bridge the gap between threat research data and scalable service architecture, ensuring that our backend systems are built for long-term maintainability and high-throughput data processing.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend-heavy experience with proven success in distributed systems (Go/Python/Java).
• Expert-level proficiency in AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude); you optimize your workflow and the team’s workflow around them.
• Strong desire to mentor and develop junior engineering talent, with a demonstrated ability to transition from a high-impact individual contributor to a technical leader.
• Comfortable reading, debugging, and architecting data flow with frontend teams (React/TypeScript) to ensure seamless API and state integration.

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 the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus.

$170,000.00 - $277,000.00/yr

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 View email address on remotive.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.