Principal Architect, Public Sector (SLED)

$239,000 - $278,750/Yr

Palo Alto Networks - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Chicago, IL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Principal Solutions Architect at Palo Alto Networks is responsible for leading the technical strategy for the company's most strategic partnerships within the State, Local, and Education (SLED) customer segment. This role involves acting as a technical advisor and thought leader, aligning solutions to customer needs, and enhancing sales productivity through effective technical strategies and initiatives. The position requires a deep understanding of cybersecurity challenges faced by public sector clients and the ability to articulate and implement solutions that address these challenges.

Responsibilities

• Function as a technical advisor and advocate for SLED customers.
• Align Palo Alto Networks solutions to customer problems and architecture.
• Provide guidance on integrating Palo Alto Networks solutions into customer environments.
• Articulate the company's point of view on solving complex security challenges.
• Engage with key decision-makers to influence their buying criteria.
• Lead national technical programs focused on the SLED customer segment.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of competing solutions and architectures.
• Create customer messaging that ties together the entire Palo Alto Networks portfolio.
• Document technological/business value gaps between the Palo Alto Networks platform and competitors.
• Engage in continuous self-improvement and learning to maintain technical leadership.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity, particularly in SLED environments.
• Extensive knowledge of network, cloud, and endpoint security architectures.
• Experience developing complex multi-product architectures.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Robust problem-finding and solving skills with a systematic approach.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in sales and establishing credibility with large SLED accounts.
• BSCS or equivalent experience or military experience.

Benefits

• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• Mental and financial health resources
• Personalized learning opportunities
• FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account