AI Security Researcher/Research Engineer

Brave; United States; Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Vacation & sick time

Parental leave

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler is seeking a Staff Software Engineer - AI Security in a hybrid role based in San Jose, CA. You will own complex engineering challenges, build secure and scalable systems, and raise the technical bar through hands-on execution and collaboration.

As a key technical leader, you will define architectural direction and lead cross-team initiatives while translating security and product challenges into actionable strategies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software-engineering experience, including technical leadership across complex production systems.
• Strong proficiency in Go, Rust, and Python, with deep expertise in systems engineering and backend platforms.
• Experience architecting platforms that span multiple teams or product areas.
• Hands-on contributor through coding, prototyping, design reviews, and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Define technical direction and architecture for major areas of the product.
• Lead high-impact initiatives spanning multiple teams and system boundaries.
• Turn ambiguous security challenges into clear, executable engineering strategies.
• Establish standards for secure, reliable, scalable, and maintainable systems.
• Identify systemic risks and investments needed for long-term growth.

Skills

Go

Rust

Python

Distributed systems

Security engineering

Backend platforms

Concurrency

Networking

APIs

Cloud platforms

Job description

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 160+ public exchanges globally and thousands of private exchanges at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world s largest in-line cloud security platform. We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback.

Role

We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer - AI Security to join our team. This is a Hybrid role based in San Jose, CA, reporting to the Director, Software Engineering in the Engineering department. We are building security products that enable organizations to adopt AI applications and agents safely and at scale. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will take ownership of complex engineering challenges, build secure and scalable systems, and raise the technical bar through hands-on execution and collaboration.

What you ll do (Role Expectations)

• Define technical direction and architecture for major areas of the product
• Lead high-impact initiatives that span multiple teams and system boundaries
• Turn ambiguous product and security challenges into clear, executable engineering strategies
• Establish standards for secure, reliable, scalable, and maintainable systems
• Identify systemic risks, architectural gaps, and investments needed for long-term growth

Who You Are (Success Profile)

You thrive in ambiguity. You build the path as you walk it, viewing ambiguity not as a hindrance but as raw material to create impactful solutions. You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action, seamlessly navigating between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.

You are a problem-solver. You are energized by complex challenges and finding elegant solutions that deliver maximum value.

You are a high-trust collaborator. You build strong relationships through clear feedback, respect, and a commitment to team success.

You are driven by innovation. You possess a deep curiosity for how systems work and are energized by solving technical challenges at the cutting edge of AI security.

What We re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving
• 5+ years of software-engineering experience, including technical leadership across complex production systems
• Strong proficiency in Go, Rust, and Python, with deep expertise in systems engineering, security engineering, and backend platforms
• Demonstrated experience architecting and evolving platforms that span multiple teams or product areas
• Proven ability to remain hands-on through coding, prototyping, design review, and complex debugging
• Deep understanding of concurrency, networking, storage, APIs, data systems, and cloud infrastructure on AWS, GCP, or Azure

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience building enterprise security, endpoint, cloud, or infrastructure products
• Familiarity with AI/ML systems, analytics platforms, AI applications, or AI security
• Experience helping a startup or high-growth product evolve into a scalable engineering organization

#LI-YC2#LI-Hybrid

Salary Range

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.

Base Pay Range$152,000 - $190,000 USD

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.