Principal Security Researcher – Cloud & AI Offensive Security

Your Mission:

Lead offensive security research to expose and neutralize emerging threats in cloud-native AI ecosystems, transforming findings into product innovations that protect thousands of enterprises globally.

Impact You’ll Deliver:

• 🔍 Uncover novel attack vectors – From RAG poisoning to cross-tenant AI model theft.
• 🛡️ Build next-gen defenses – Ship detection logic for CIEM/DSPM/AISPM platforms.
• 💡 Drive product evolution – Turn POCs into features adopted by Fortune 500 security teams.
• 📢 Shape industry standards – Publish research and represent PANW at Black Hat/Defcon.

Core Responsibilities:

• ✔ Conduct deep-dive vulnerability research across:
  • AI pipelines (training data poisoning, model inversion)
  • Cloud IAM (privilege escalation, NHI abuse)
  • K8s/Serverless (orchestration layer exploits)
• ✔ Develop detection engines for Cortex Cloud’s modules.
• ✔ Partner with engineering to productionize research.
• ✔ Mentor junior researchers and lead cross-functional initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 6+ years security research (2+ in cloud/AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Proven offensive skills:
  • Exploit development (Python/C++)
  • Cloud service reverse engineering
  • Attacker TTP modeling
• AI security expertise (preferred):
  • Hands-on with RAG/prompt injection attacks
  • Model exfiltration techniques
• Public research track record (blogs, CVEs, conference talks).

Why This Team?

• 🚀 Elite research-to-product pipeline – Your findings ship in weeks, not years.
• 🛠️ Build the future of:
  • AI Security Posture Management (AISPM)
  • Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)
• 🌐 Influence cloud vendors – We partner with AWS/GCP/Azure on vuln disclosures.

PANW Perks:

• Competitive compensation + equity.
• $1K+ FLEXBenefits wellbeing account.
• Concierge mental/financial health resources.
• Global research collaboration opportunities.