📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Channel Systems Engineer
Company: Palo Alto Networks
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Job Type: Full-time
Category: DevOps / Infrastructure
Date Posted: 2025-06-11
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

Serve as a trusted advisor to channel partners, enabling them to leverage Palo Alto Networks' security solutions in cloud environments
Collaborate with the Channels team to build strong partner relationships and guide joint customers through complex security challenges
Provide technical expertise in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other public cloud systems, focusing on security and compliance
Lead strategy planning for moving critical data and applications to the public cloud and provide technical demos showcasing Palo Alto Networks' virtual offerings

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of cloud environments, security, and compliance, as well as the ability to work effectively with channel partners and customers.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Establish yourself as a trusted advisor within the Channels team and strategic channel partners
Lead conversations about industry trends and emerging changes in the security landscape
Develop and deliver technical training to channel partners
Provide technical demos and support for partner demonstrations showcasing Palo Alto Networks' value
Collaborate with the Channels team to build strong partner relationships and drive joint customer success

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a high degree of collaboration with channel partners and the Channels team, requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5-10 years of experience as a system engineer, solutions architect, or systems integrator, with a focus on cloud environments and security

Required Skills:

Expertise in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, including installation, configuration, and administration of security features and services
Strong understanding of containers and container management (Docker, Openshift, Kubernetes)
Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, NodeJS, Ruby, Chef, Puppet, YAML, and JSON
Experience with cloud networking models and connectivity, network security, virtualization, and cloud computing
Working experience with customers, positioning, demonstrating, configuring, and fixing network infrastructure security products
Experience working with channel partners and understanding of a channel-centric go-to-market approach
Experience from companies in the enterprise networking security space
Deep understanding of exploits, malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats
Fluent German

Preferred Skills:

Experience in DevOps
Familiarity with Ansible, Terraform, and CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub)

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a broad set of technical skills, with a strong emphasis on cloud security and compliance. Relevant certifications, such as AWS Certified Security - Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Security Engineer, would be beneficial.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

A portfolio showcasing your experience with cloud environments, security, and compliance, including case studies or success stories demonstrating your ability to guide customers through complex challenges
Examples of technical presentations or demos you've delivered to channel partners or customers
Documentation of your scripting and programming skills, such as sample code snippets or projects

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CHF 120,000 - CHF 160,000 per year (based on experience and market research)

Benefits:

FLEXBenefits Wellbeing Spending Account with over 1,000 eligible items
Mental and financial health resources
Personalized learning opportunities
Competitive compensation and benefits package

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in the Swiss job market. The final salary offer will depend on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Industry: Cybersecurity

Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees)

Founded: 2005

Team Structure:

The Channels team, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with channel partners
The Sales team, focused on driving revenue and customer success
The Product team, dedicated to developing and improving Palo Alto Networks' security offerings

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum methodologies for sprint planning and project management
Collaborative development and code review processes
CI/CD pipelines for automated deployment and testing

Company Website: Palo Alto Networks

📝 Enhancement Note: Palo Alto Networks is a large, established cybersecurity company with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration. The company's size and industry position provide ample opportunities for growth and professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience) with opportunities for growth into technical leadership or management roles

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Channels team and works closely with the Sales and Product teams

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Palo Alto Networks' channel partners and customers, helping to guide them through complex security challenges and drive customer success

Growth Opportunities:

Technical leadership and architecture decision-making opportunities within the Channels team
Opportunities to specialize in specific cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) or security domains
Potential career progression into management or executive roles within the Channels or Sales teams

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, both technically and professionally. The company's size and industry position provide ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office environment with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities

Office Location(s): Zürich, Switzerland

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspace with dedicated areas for team meetings and brainstorming sessions
Access to cutting-edge technology and tools, including multiple monitors and testing devices
Opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows

📝 Enhancement Note: Palo Alto Networks' office environment is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, with a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to assess your communication skills and cultural fit (30 minutes)
Technical Assessment: A hands-on technical assessment, focusing on your cloud security and scripting skills (60-90 minutes)
Behavioral Interview: A conversation focused on your problem-solving skills, experience with channel partners, and cultural fit (60 minutes)
Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager to discuss your career aspirations and next steps (30-45 minutes)

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with cloud environments, security, and compliance, including case studies or success stories demonstrating your ability to guide customers through complex challenges
Showcase your technical presentations or demos, emphasizing your ability to communicate complex concepts effectively
Provide examples of your scripting and programming skills, such as sample code snippets or projects

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your cloud security and compliance knowledge, focusing on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Familiarize yourself with Palo Alto Networks' security offerings and competitive landscape
Prepare for behavioral interview questions focused on problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills

ATS Keywords:

Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, multi-cloud, hybrid cloud
Security Technologies: cloud security, compliance, identity and access management, network security, encryption, firewalls
Tools & Frameworks: Ansible, Terraform, CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, Openshift
Programming Languages: Python, NodeJS, Ruby, Chef, Puppet, YAML, JSON
Soft Skills: communication, collaboration, problem-solving, time management, stakeholder management

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. The technical assessment and behavioral interview questions will focus on your cloud security and compliance knowledge, as well as your experience working with channel partners and customers.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platforms:

AWS
Azure
Google Cloud

Security Technologies:

Identity and access management
Network security
Encryption
Firewalls

Tools & Frameworks:

Ansible
Terraform
CI/CD (Jenkins, GitHub)
Docker
Kubernetes
Openshift

Programming Languages:

Python
NodeJS
Ruby
Chef
Puppet
YAML
JSON

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of cloud environments, security, and compliance, as well as proficiency in relevant tools, frameworks, and programming languages.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement, staying up-to-date with emerging cloud technologies and security trends
Collaboration: Work effectively with channel partners and internal teams to drive customer success and achieve common goals
Expertise: Demonstrate deep technical knowledge and expertise in cloud security and compliance
Customer Focus: Understand and address the unique security challenges and requirements of each channel partner and customer

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Work closely with the Channels, Sales, and Product teams to align technical solutions with market demands and customer needs
Code Review Culture: Collaborate with internal teams and channel partners to ensure high-quality, secure, and reliable solutions
Knowledge Sharing: Share your expertise and experiences with colleagues and channel partners to drive collective success

📝 Enhancement Note: Palo Alto Networks' culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on customer success. The company values expertise, continuous learning, and a customer-centric approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Staying up-to-date with the rapidly evolving cloud security landscape and emerging threats
Developing and delivering effective technical training and demos for channel partners and customers
Collaborating with internal teams and channel partners to drive customer success in complex and dynamic environments

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Specializing in specific cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) or security domains
Obtaining relevant certifications, such as AWS Certified Security - Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Security Engineer
Developing technical leadership and architecture decision-making skills within the Channels team

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, both technically and professionally. The company's size, industry position, and culture of innovation provide ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Security Fundamentals: Explain the key security challenges and considerations when migrating workloads to the cloud, and how Palo Alto Networks' offerings address these challenges
Cloud Security Architecture: Describe a complex cloud security architecture you've designed or implemented, and how you ensured its resilience and compliance with relevant standards
Cloud Security Trends: Discuss the most significant emerging trends in cloud security, and how Palo Alto Networks is addressing these trends

Company & Culture Questions:

Channel Partner Collaboration: Describe your experience working with channel partners, and how you've driven joint customer success through effective collaboration and communication
Customer Focus: Explain how you've tailored technical solutions to meet the unique security challenges and requirements of specific customers or channel partners
Innovation: Share an example of a time when you've driven innovation or improvement in a cloud security solution or process

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Highlight your experience with cloud environments, security, and compliance, including case studies or success stories demonstrating your ability to guide customers through complex challenges
Showcase your technical presentations or demos, emphasizing your ability to communicate complex concepts effectively
Provide examples of your scripting and programming skills, such as sample code snippets or projects

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. The technical and behavioral interview questions will focus on your cloud security and compliance knowledge, as well as your experience working with channel partners and customers.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Channel Systems Engineer position:

Customize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience with cloud environments, security, and compliance, as well as your scripting and programming skills
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Explain your interest in this role and how your experience and skills make you a strong fit for the position
Prepare for the Phone Screen: Brush up on your communication skills and be ready to discuss your cultural fit with the team
Complete the Technical Assessment: Demonstrate your cloud security and scripting skills through a hands-on assessment
Prepare for the Behavioral Interview: Reflect on your problem-solving skills, experience with channel partners, and cultural fit, and be ready to discuss your approach to customer success and collaboration

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Channel Systems Engineer