Principal Consultant, DFIR, Reactive Services (Unit 42) - Remote

Our Mission At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place. Who We Are In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us! This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters. Job Summary The Principal Consultant, Reactive Services is a senior individual contributor within Unit 42, responsible for leading and executing complex digital forensics and incident response engagements across a wide range of client environments throughout Latin America. In this role, you will work alongside Consulting Directors and other senior Unit 42 leaders to investigate high-impact cybersecurity incidents, guide technical response activities, and advise clients throughout the incident response lifecycle. You will serve as a technical leader during active investigations, independently manage key workstreams, and help ensure the delivery of high-quality outcomes in fast-paced and high-pressure client environments. This position is ideal for an experienced DFIR practitioner who enjoys leading hands-on technical investigations, solving complex security challenges, mentoring other consultants, and working directly with technical and executive stakeholders during critical cybersecurity incidents. Key Responsibilities Lead and execute complex digital forensics and incident response investigations across enterprise environments. Serve as a technical lead during investigations involving ransomware, business email compromise, malware, insider threats, unauthorized access, data theft, and advanced intrusion activity. Conduct advanced forensic analysis of endpoints, systems, logs, networks, and cloud environments to identify attacker activity and determine the scope and impact of compromise. Lead host, network, identity, and cloud investigations during active cybersecurity incidents. Perform and oversee forensic acquisition, preservation, and analysis of evidence in accordance with industry best practices and chain-of-custody procedures. Utilize industry-standard DFIR tools, investigative methodologies, and threat intelligence to identify malicious activity and support containment, eradication, and recovery efforts. Independently manage technical workstreams and coordinate investigative activities across client teams, internal stakeholders, and third-party partners. Translate complex technical findings into clear investigative summaries, timelines, executive briefings, and client-facing reports. Present technical findings and strategic recommendations to technical teams, business leaders, legal counsel, and executive stakeholders. Provide remediation guidance and advise clients throughout the incident response and recovery lifecycle. Mentor junior and mid-level consultants and provide technical guidance during active engagements. Support engagement planning, scoping, quality assurance, and delivery across multiple concurrent investigations. Maintain awareness of emerging threats, attacker techniques, forensic methodologies, and evolving cybersecurity trends. Contribute to the development of internal DFIR processes, playbooks, tools, training materials, and knowledge-sharing initiatives within Unit 42. Support business development activities, client briefings, and technical discussions when needed. Qualifications Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Digital Forensics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. 6–8 years of hands-on experience in Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Security Operations, SOC, threat hunting, or related cybersecurity disciplines. Demonstrated experience leading or independently managing complex enterprise incident response investigations. Experience investigating ransomware, intrusion activity, phishing, malware, business email compromise, insider threats, data theft, or unauthorized access incidents. Strong knowledge of forensic methodologies, evidence handling, forensic acquisition techniques, and chain-of-custody procedures. Hands-on experience with DFIR tools such as EnCase, FTK, Sleuth Kit, Volatility, Velociraptor, X-Ways, Magnet AXIOM, or equivalent forensic frameworks. Experience investigating Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS environments. Experience analyzing endpoint, network, identity, cloud, and security-platform data during active investigations. Strong understanding of attacker techniques, persistence mechanisms, lateral movement, credential access, and common indicators of compromise. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead technical investigations in high-pressure environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex technical findings to both technical and executive audiences. Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships and provide trusted technical guidance during critical incidents. Language Requirements – LATAM Candidates must be fluent in one of the following language combinations: English and Spanish English and Portuguese Spanish and Portuguese English, Spanish, and Portuguese preferred The ability to communicate effectively with clients and internal teams across Latin America is required. Preferred Qualifications Experience leading enterprise incident response investigations across cloud, hybrid, or multinational environments. Advanced knowledge of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and its application during investigations. Experience with malware analysis, threat hunting, endpoint detection and response platforms, or identity-based investigations. Experience investigating environments within AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft 365. Experience working within cybersecurity consulting, managed security services, MDR, or incident response organizations. Experience mentoring consultants or serving as a technical lead during client engagements. Experience managing multiple concurrent investigations or technical workstreams. Industry certifications such as GCFA, GCFE, GCIH, GNFA, GREM, CISSP, or similar. Experience supporting multinational or enterprise clients throughout Latin America. Travel Willingness to travel up to 20% throughout Latin America to support client engagements. Our Commitment We’re trailblazers that dream big, 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. Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Please use this form to provide us with information that will help direct your request and find your data in all of our systems