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Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Security Researcher to join the Cortex advanced cyber research team in Tel Aviv. This is a highly technical role focused on innovating automated defense systems that leverage AI and machine learning to protect customers against advanced cyber threats at scale.
You will blend deep traditional cybersecurity expertise—including OS internals, reverse engineering, and detection engineering—with cutting-edge AI technologies such as large language models (LLMs), small language models (SLMs), and agentic workflows. Your primary focus will be designing AI-driven prevention logic that neutralizes threats before execution, using massive streams of agent telemetry.
Key responsibilities include developing and deploying automated solutions for prevention and detection of advanced threats; partnering with data scientists to leverage AI/ML techniques for prevention capabilities; researching and improving the Agentix solution by designing specialized AI agents to automate security operations; and spearheading new research initiatives from conception through production deployment.
Required qualifications: 5+ years of hands-on cybersecurity research experience; deep expertise in threat research and OS internals (Windows/Linux kernel); demonstrated reverse engineering skills (IDA Pro, Ghidra); strong Python proficiency for data analysis and prototyping; ability to read and comprehend native code (C, C++, Rust); scientific, data-driven approach to security challenges with proven track record of owning research initiatives end-to-end; excellent communication and mentorship abilities.
Preferred qualifications include hands-on experience with AI agents and agentic frameworks; technical understanding of agent architecture, skills, and Model Context Protocol (MCP); proficiency in SQL and big data platforms (e.g., GCP) for large-scale telemetry analysis.
The role is based in Tel Aviv with an in-office work model, reflecting the company's belief that collaboration thrives in person. This is a Staff/Principal-level individual contributor role with significant technical leadership responsibilities, partnering closely with data scientists and product engineers to translate security research into production capabilities.
