Palo Alto Networks Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Palo Alto Networks is a global leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting our digital way of life. As the fastest-growing security company in history, they are committed to challenging and evolving the industry’s norms to ensure a safer, more secure digital world.

In this guide, we’ll tackle how they conduct their software engineering interviews, along with commonly asked Palo Alto Networks software engineer interview questions to help you prepare better. Let’s get started!

The interview process usually depends on the role and seniority. However, you can expect the following on a Palo Alto Networks software engineer interview:

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Palo Alto Networks Talent Acquisition Team will contact you and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be part of the screening process.

Sometimes, the Palo Alto Networks software engineering hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will invite you to the technical screening round. Technical screening for the Palo Alto Networks software engineer role is usually conducted virtually, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around specific topics such as:

• Computer Networking (OSI Model, Network protocols, Internet, TCP/IP, etc.)
• Coding challenges related to shared data structures and algorithms
• Basic SQL (Primary keys, other database concepts)
• System design questions

Technical Assessments and Virtual Onsite Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you may receive a technical assessment on platforms like Codility or LeetCode. These assessments generally include coding challenges that range from easy to medium difficulty.

The virtual onsite interview loop will then consist of multiple interview rounds over 1-2 days, generally including:

1. Coding Round:

   • Questions on common algorithms and data structures
   • Languages like Python, C, or Java may be used
   • LeetCode-style problems

2. System Design:

   • Problems that are closely related to real-world tasks and application design
   • Discussions on the ETL pipeline and other scalable systems

3. Domain Knowledge:

   • In-depth questions related to networks, OS, DBMS, and cloud technologies
   • Relevant experience in security-related projects could be beneficial

4. Behavioral and Managerial Round:

   • Leadership/interpersonal/collaboration soft skill aspect questions
   • Questions about past projects, teamwork, and problem-solving

Typically, interviews at Palo Alto Networks vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. Create a function is_subsequence to determine if one string is a subsequence of another.

Given two strings, string1 and string2, write a function is_subsequence to find out if string1 is a subsequence of string2.

2. Implement a SinglyLinkedList class with methods for adding, removing, and accessing elements.

Create a class SinglyLinkedList with methods to add elements to the head or tail, remove elements from the head or tail, check if an item is in the list, get an element by index, and get the length of the list.

3. Write a function swap_node to swap nodes at given positions in a singly linked list.

Given the head of a singly linked list and two positions x and y, write a function swap_node to swap the nodes at these positions using pointer manipulation, not by swapping values.

4. What is the relationship between PCA and K-means clustering?

Explain how Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering are related. Discuss how PCA can be used to preprocess data before applying K-means clustering.

5. What are kernel methods in machine learning?

Describe kernel methods in machine learning, including their purpose and how they work.

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your Palo Alto Networks software engineer interview include:

• Strong Grasp on Fundamentals: Brush up on CS fundamentals, especially in networking and operating systems. Familiarize yourself with key concepts like the OSI model and TCP/IP protocols.
• Hands-On Coding Practice: Be sure to practice coding questions on platforms like LeetCode. Focus on algorithms, data structures, and system design problems.
• Know the Company Mission: Understand Palo Alto Networks’ mission and core values. Be prepared to answer questions about how you align with their cybersecurity mission and how your skills can contribute to the team.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks?

What kind of technical skills are essential for a Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks?

Key skills include proficiency in programming languages like Python, Golang, or C, strong understanding of data structures and algorithms, networking principles, and operating systems. Familiarity with cloud platforms like GCP, containerization tools like Kubernetes, and data processing tools like Apache Beam are also highly valued.

What is the work culture like at Palo Alto Networks?

Palo Alto Networks promotes a collaborative in-person work environment while offering flexibility. They value ongoing learning, personal well-being, and encourage innovation. Employees often work from the office with some remote flexibility to enable casual conversations and problem-solving.

How does Palo Alto Networks support diversity and inclusion?

The company is committed to creating a diverse work environment and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. They celebrate diversity and ensure equal opportunity for all employees, aiming to foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

The journey to securing a software engineer position at Palo Alto Networks is challenging but ultimately rewarding. With a rigorous interview process that tests your breadth and depth of technical knowledge, from coding and system design to networking and cloud security, it is clear that Palo Alto Networks seeks only the most qualified candidates. This thorough selection process underscores the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in cybersecurity.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main Palo Alto Networks Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. Additionally, explore our interview guides for other roles such as data engineer and data scientist to learn more about Palo Alto Networks’ interview process for different positions.

Good luck with your interview!