Job Description
About Zscaler
Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile efficient resilient and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise we are constantly pushing the envelope leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users devices and applications in any location.
Here impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive honest debate—we’re focused on getting to the best ideas faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession collaboration ownership and accountability.
We value high-impact high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose thrive on solving complex challenges and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.
Role
We are looking for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join our ML/AI team. This is a hybrid role based in San Jose CA reporting to the VP AI and ML within the Engineering department.
You will drive innovation within our growing ML/AI team focusing on critical cybersecurity use cases like agentic frameworks threat detection and anomaly detection. Your work will enable organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility through a cloud-first strategy while solving complex security challenges at scale.
What you’ll do (Role Expectations)
Lead the design and development of cutting edge production ready AI/ML systems and pipelines cybersecurity applications and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers
Optimize existing machine learning pipelines for improved efficiency and scalability
Explore and experiment with advanced AI techniques and architectures to solve complex cybersecurity problems while staying updated on the latest advancements in AI
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and ensure alignment with business objectives
Ensure systems and applications meet reliability scalability and performance requirements
Who You Are (Success Profile)
You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and are obsessed with your own development actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.
What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field
10+ years of experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or Scientist with a proven track record of delivering successful projects in cybersecurity
Strong proficiency in Algorithms Game Theory and Optimization Verification and ML libraries and frameworks
Extensive experience in data modeling feature engineering model development and error analysis
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts to stakeholders and peers
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
Proven track record of designing building and shipping end-end applications at scale with familiarity with multi-agent systems and orchestration frameworks
Deep expertise with cloud infrastructure such as AWS or GCP for AI workloads
Strong experience with agent architectures and SOTA AI frameworks along with contributions to open-source ML projects or top-tier research publications
#LI-JM1 #LI-Hybrid
Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors including job-related skills experience and relevant education or training.
The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.
At Zscaler we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.
Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages including:
- Various health plans
- Time off plans for vacation and sick time
- Parental leave options
- Retirement options
- Education reimbursement
- In-office perks and more!
Learn more about Zscaler's hybrid working model and benefits here.
By applying for this role you adhere to applicable laws regulations and Zscaler policies including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.
Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions) age national origin sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. See more information by clicking on the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal link.
Pay Transparency
Zscaler complies with all applicable federal state and local pay transparency rules.
Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled have long term conditions mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or Scientist
- Solid understanding of machine learning concepts and their applications in cybersecurity
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong proficiency in Algorithms Game Theory and Optimization Verification ML libraries and frameworks
- Extensive experience in data modeling feature engineering model development and error analysis
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field
What the Team is Saying
Zscaler Compensation & Benefits Highlights
- Healthcare Strength—Multiple medical plan options (Anthem and Kaiser including HSA) virtual primary care Lyra mental‑health support with TELUS EAP fertility and gender‑inclusive care and a cancer‑care navigation program are included. Dental (Delta Dental) and vision (VSP) coverage round out a broad health offering.
- Leave & Time Off Breadth—Hybrid work and “flexible time off” for most salaried roles are provided alongside paid sick bereavement military leave and company holidays. The approach is designed to allow time away without a preset cap for eligible employees.
- Retirement Support—A 401(k) through Fidelity includes a company match up to $5000 per year. Company‑paid life AD&D and disability insurance add financial protection alongside retirement savings.
Zscaler Insights
What We Do
Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so our customers can be more agile efficient resilient and secure. Our cloud native Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users devices and applications in any location.
Why Work With Us
Our impact comes from how we work—every day in every decision as one team. Our values and leadership principles are more than words; they're our operating system. They fuel a culture of execution where trust transparency and accountability help us deliver meaningful results for our customers colleagues and our company. www.zscaler.com/culture
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Zscaler Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
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