AI / Systems Engineer, Security Research APPLIED AI SYSTEMS KERNEL LOW-LEVEL New York, NY / On Site →

Zealot Labs, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 105,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Job summary

Zealot Labs, Inc. is building AI-driven cyber tools in New York City, with an on-site requirement and relocation support. The team, backed by top investors, focuses on low-level systems, vulnerability research, and production-grade code across kernel internals and OS interfaces.

Ideal candidates bring 2+ years in engineering, deep OS-level experience, and a strong builder mindset. This early-stage startup emphasizes ownership, performance, and the ability to deliver end-to-end systems in a

Qualifications

• 2+ years of engineering experience.
• Deep low-level systems experience: OS internals, kernel work, runtime detection, dynamic analysis, dynamic interception, or comparable.
• Strong builder mindset with ownership of end-to-end production code.

Responsibilities

• Build production systems that conduct AI-driven vulnerability research and exploit development at scale.
• Work close to the metal: OS internals, kernel interfaces, and low-level performance optimization.
• Own problems end-to-end across architecture, implementation, and shipped production code.
• Partner with vulnerability researchers, security operators, and the engineering team to automate cyber operations.
• Help define the standards and operating cadence of a team that aims to set the bar for AI-native cyber.

Skills

Low-level systems

Kernel development

Operating system internals

C/C++

Performance optimization

End-to-end ownership

Ambiguity tolerance

Security research

In-person NYC

Tools

OS-level tooling

Job description

Zealot is deploying AI systems at the center of western cyber operations , backed by tier-1 US VCs and industry leaders. Our team includes alumni of Anthropic, xAI, and Anduril. Soon live with close U.S. allies abroad.

APPLIED AI SYSTEMS KERNEL LOW-LEVEL

Compensation 105K-165K + skin in the game equity

Location New York, NY On Site

Stage Early-stage startup backed by tier 1 investors. Small, growing team with exceptionally high ownership.

• + Build production systems that conduct AI-driven vulnerability research and exploit development at scale.
• + Work close to the metal: operating system internals, kernel-level interfaces, and low-level performance optimization.
• + Own problems end-to-end across architecture, implementation, and shipped production code.
• + Partner directly with vulnerability researchers, security operators, and the engineering team to convert manual cyber operations into automated, repeatable systems.
• + Help define the standards and operating cadence of a team that intends to set the bar for AI-native cyber.
• + 2+ years of engineering experience. Open to exceptional new grads with demonstrated low-level systems work.
• + Deep low-level systems experience: operating system internals, kernel work, runtime detection, dynamic analysis, dynamic interception, or comparable. This is non-negotiable.
• + Strong builder mindset. Comfortable owning systems end-to-end and shipping production code where performance and correctness matter.
• + Comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty. The most important cultural requirement.
• + Willing to be in person in New York City 5 days per week. Full relocation support provided.
• + Eligible for the security clearances and customer requirements associated with U.S. government work.

Nice to Have

• + Vulnerability research, CTF, or prior security research experience.
• + Prior YC company as founder or early engineer.
• + Engineering experience at xAI, Anthropic, Scale, Palantir, or similar high-bar AI companies.
• + Open-source contributions to OS-level tooling.
• + Cyber or security startup engineering experience, especially runtime detection, dynamic analysis, or operating system tooling.
• + Exposure to ML/AI systems work.
• + A low-level systems builder first. The non-negotiable is fluency close to the metal; speed is the team's defining operating value.
• + Comfortable owning problems end-to-end, optimizing for real hardware, and shipping production systems where performance and correctness matter.
• + Building something massive matters more to you than comfort, titles, or predictability.
• + You want to be early at a company that will change an industry, and you're ready to do what that actually takes.