Sr Director Hardware Quality and Compliance Engineering - Palo Alto Networks

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Your Career

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Sr Director to lead our hardware quality and compliance engineering team.  This role will be instrumental in ensuring our hardware products meet stringent quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The candidate must be self-motivated and must thrive in an environment valuing teamwork, results, and creativity. As this is a senior Leadership role, the successful candidate will drive strategies to ensure the highest  quality and reliability in our new and sustaining  products. 

This position reports to the VP of Technical Operations and works closely with Hardware and Software Design Engineering, Product Management, Technical Support Engineering, Global Customer Support, Technical Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Your Impact

• Enhance existing Quality Management strategies to elevate hardware product quality throughout the entire product life cycle
• Drive continuous process improvement initiatives proactively, cultivating a culture of quality and innovation within the cross functional engineering teams
• Collaborate closely with Customer Support and Design Engineering  to address quality concerns, provide technical insights, and lead corrective actions
• Serve as the primary representative of hardware quality in customer-facing engagements, such as meetings and calls, ensuring alignment on quality standards and adeptly addressing customer feedback
• Prepare and deliver succinct executive summaries and comprehensive reports on critical quality issues, product performance metrics, and ongoing improvement initiatives for senior management and stakeholders as required
• Apply robust analytical skills and  problem-solving techniques to lead effective resolution in technical product quality issues and enhance product reliability
• Has been involved with process development, documentation and implementation of product reliability metrics and processes such DFMEA, PFMEA, MTBF,  DVT, DfX, ORT, HALT, Reliability & Risk Assessment, Failure Analysis, Root Cause & Corrective Action

Your Experience 

• Proven track record (15+ years) in senior leadership roles within hardware quality and compliance managing a team of engineers
• Strategic problem-solving mindset, with a strong ability to implement effective solutions
• Demonstrated success in driving continuous process improvement initiatives within hardware product development
• Experience working closely with Customer Support and Design Engineering teams, with a focus on integrating quality considerations throughout the product life cycle
• Proficiency in representing hardware quality in customer interactions, including handling customer calls and addressing hardware quality-related inquiries
• Demonstrate effective hands-on leadership within the team and across multiple departments
• Has a proactive approach to driving operational excellence and efficiency within the quality and reliability processes
• Responsible for effectively mentoring and developing a high-performing team
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or related field required or equivalent military experience required
• 15+ years progressive experience in a senior leadership role
• Excellent people management and communication skills, with the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team
• Multidisciplinary technology knowledge
• Design for reliability processes and quality improvement methodologies
• Proficiency in providing clear and concise executive summaries and reports on key quality issues and initiatives
• Willingness to travel when required

The Team

HW Quality and Compliance Engineering team aims to deliver exceptional quality, reliability, and data precision across the entire lifecycle of hardware products. The team achieves this by establishing and applying processes and tools that guarantee high-quality and dependable hardware. We enhance customer experiences by embedding quality and reliability into hardware design and supplier performance, focusing on improvements through precise and actionable performance metrics.

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/com-missioned roles) is expected to be between $231000 - $317000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that 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  accommodations@paloaltonetworks.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.