OT Threat Research Lab Program Manager - Contractor - Palo Alto Networks [Contract]

Role Description

This role is a contract assignment at Palo Alto Networks. Contractors will not be employed by Palo Alto Networks but through our trusted staffing partners.  

Palo Alto Networks is looking for a OT Threat Research Lab Program Manager - Contractor to work with the Threat Research team and is a great opportunity for a talented individual who has the desire to associate with a fast-growing company in a truly international environment.

• Location - Santa Clara, CA (Hybrid)
• Duration -  14 months 

As an OT Threat Research Lab Program Manager(Contractor) you will directly and visibly contribute to our overall success and daily operations within the Threat Research team and will report to the Head of OT Threat Research. 

This role is pivotal to the success of the organization, is collaborative in nature, and will continue to flex and grow as the organization matures. If you are a self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments with minimal supervision this is the role for you

Your Impact

.Lab Asset Management and Reporting

• Manage asset utilization tracking, stakeholder intake, and logistics
• Design and implement effective KPIs to measure lab outcomes
• Generate quarterly reports for leadership and stakeholders
• Identify new venues and opportunities to increase lab asset utilization

Vendor and Hardware Coordination

• Manage vendor relationships for hardware procurement, platform content, service contracts, renewals, and global support
• Coordinate purchase orders (POs), deliveries, maintenance schedules, and invoice tracking

Demo Environment (Hardware and Software)

• Oversee intake, scheduling, vendor coordination, technical support, and execution of OT demo environments at global events
• Create and maintain workflows for event preparation, execution, and post-event reporting

Process and System Automation

• Implement workflow tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Salesforce) to automate lab intake, scheduling, asset tracking, and reporting
• Integrate systems to streamline operations and reduce manual overhead

IT and Lab System Administration

• Manage basic lab IT operations including user access, software license tracking, and system documentation

Stakeholder Communication and Enablement

• Deliver regular updates to internal stakeholders (Threat Research, Product, Engineering, Marketing)
• Gather and incorporate feedback to improve lab services and operations
• Maintain a centralized repository for promotional materials, demo content, and performance outcomes

Your Experience

Required:

• 5+ years of technical project management experience, preferably in cybersecurity, IT/engineering labs, or OT/ICS environments
• Proven ability to design meaningful, outcome-driven KPIs aligned with business goals
• Skilled at translating operational objectives into measurable metrics that support product, sales, and marketing enablement
• Strong vendor and procurement coordination experience
• Hands-on experience with workflow management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Salesforce)
• Familiarity with basic IT administration (e.g., user access, VPN, license tracking, troubleshooting)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical and non-technical teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and task prioritization
• Experience creating and presenting executive-level reports and status updates

Preferred:

• Familiarity with OT/ICS concepts (PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI systems) or electrical engineering background.
• Basic network troubleshooting and IP address management
• Experience supporting product marketing and campaign planning

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field
• A Master’s degree in a technical or business field (e.g., MBA) or equivalent hands-on experience is a plus
• Project Management: PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent is a plus.
• Tool-specific or Agile training: Asana/Jira certifications, Scrum Master (CSM/PSM), Asana, Salesforce,  or relevant workflow automation certifications is a plus.

Our Team

Our team runs the OT Threat Research Lab at Palo Alto Networks, where we conduct cutting-edge research to position the company as a thought leader in the OT security industry. We focus on real-world control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, fully automated operational systems, and demo platforms. In addition to showcasing our research to clients at global conferences and industry events, we collaborate closely with cross-functional teams — including Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and GTM — to help drive innovation, inform product development, and amplify our market impact.

Compensation

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location.  For candidates who receive an offer,this is the pay range that Magnit (the staffing agency) reasonably expects to pay for this position: $70/hour to $80/hour. Please note that the compensation information in this posting reflects the hourly wage only and does not include benefits.  Magnit offers Medical, Dental, Vision and 401K.

Information about Palo Alto Networks

At Palo Alto Networks®, everything starts and ends with our mission:
Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
We have the vision of a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These aren’t easy goals to accomplish — but we’re not here for easy. We’re here for better. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.