Channel Systems Engineer

Role Summary

As a Channel Systems Engineer for South Africa, you will act as a strategic technical partner to a diverse ecosystem of channel partners, including GSIs, VARs, and Service Providers. You will drive technical enablement and alignment, ensuring partners are equipped to effectively position and deploy Palo Alto Networks' cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. By fostering collaborative relationships, you will solve complex technical challenges and accelerate mutual business growth across the region. Your expertise will be pivotal in expanding our footprint and securing the digital future of our shared customers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively with GSI, VAR, and SP partners to align technical strategies and drive sales growth in South Africa.
• Execute technical enablement workshops and training to ensure partners are proficient in articulating the value of our cybersecurity portfolio.
• Simplify complex technical concepts and security architectures to facilitate effective solution selling by partners.
• Drive results by supporting partners in the delivery of successful Proof of Concepts (POCs) and technical demonstrations.
• Challenge curiousty and positively by identifying innovative ways to enhance partner technical capabilities and market reach.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor, ensuring partners have the guidance needed to resolve customer security challenges.
• Empower partners to independently identify and close opportunities by building their technical confidence and competence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in systems engineering, pre-sales, or technical channel management.
• Proven experience working with channel partners (GSI, VAR, SP) within the Sub-Saharan Africa market.
• Strong technical understanding of cybersecurity landscapes, including network security, cloud security, and endpoint protection.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry certifications such as PCNSE, CISSP, or CCIE.
• Experience with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and virtualization technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex technical topics effectively to diverse audiences.

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.

About the Company

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.

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.