Director, Cybersecurity Engineering

Merck; Lansing (MI); Remote; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Director of Zero Trust Infrastructure Security to lead a US-based team of engineers.

You will own strategy, architecture, and operation of the enterprise Zero Trust program, focusing on Zscaler-based SASE and secure access for users, apps, and workloads. You will collaborate across IT, cloud, network, and security teams, set engineering standards, mentor staff, and explore AI-driven threat detection, automation, and analytics to strengthen the security posture of the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in CS/IT/Cybersecurity or related field.
• 10+ years IT, 5+ years Zero Trust/Zscaler leadership.
• Strong grasp of Zero Trust, AI security, cloud/network security architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, deployment, and operation of enterprise Zero Trust program.
• Oversee Zscaler-based SASE platform for secure access across users, apps, workloads.
• Mentor engineers and set engineering standards; drive AI-driven threat detection and automation.
• Collaborate with IT, security, and business teams to maintain security posture.

Skills

Zero Trust principles

Zscaler

SASE

AI security

Security architecture

Leadership

Threat detection

Automation

Cloud security

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Cybersecurity

Relevant industry certifications (Zscaler, CISSP, CIAM)

Tools

Zscaler

Firewalls

IDPS

ZTNA

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Zero Trust Infrastructure Security Leader with deep expertise in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Zscaler, and emerging AI-driven security technologies. This role is Director of Zero Trust Infrastructure Security and will lead a team of U.S.-based Zero Trust Engineers and be responsible for the strategy, architecture, implementation, and ongoing operation of our enterprise Zero Trust security program.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include leading the design, deployment, integration, maintenance, and continuous enhancement of our Zscaler-based SASE platform to support secure access for users, applications, and workloads across the organization.

This leader will collaborate closely with infrastructure, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, application teams, and various businesses to integrate Zero Trust principles and network security solutions across enterprise systems and platforms. The role will also oversee the implementation, configuration, monitoring, detection, and response capabilities of security technologies, ensuring operational excellence and a strong security posture across the environment.

In addition, this leader will establish Zero Trust engineering standards, mentor and develop team members, and identify opportunities to leverage AI-driven capabilities to enhance threat detection, automation, security analytics, and operational efficiency. Staying current with advancements in Zero Trust, cloud security, network security, AI security and emerging technologies will be critical to evaluating and adopting innovative solutions that support the organization's security strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field is required. Relevant industry certifications, including Zscaler certifications, CISSP, CIAM, or similar credentials, are highly desirable. The candidate will possess advanced hands‑on experience designing, deploying, and operating Zscaler solutions within large‑scale enterprise environments.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in Information Technology, including 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and managing Zero Trust and Zscaler security initiatives.
• A strong understanding of Zero Trust principles, methodologies, and technologies is required, along with expertise in AI Security, network security, endpoint security, and cloud security architecture. Candidate should have experience with firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), network segmentation, and secure remote access technologies.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, the ability to quickly learn and apply emerging technologies, and excellent communication and collaboration capabilities.
• Extensive experience with Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), cloud security, network transformation, and enterprise‑scale Zero Trust security engineering programs are essential.
• Proven success leading high‑performing Zero Trust engineering teams, driving complex security transformations, and providing guidance and support to IT and security teams in the successful implementation and operation of Zero Trust principles is required

Required Skills

Application Security, Application Security, Certificate Services, Cloud Computing Security, Cloud Security, Communication, Corporate Security Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Analytics, Cybersecurity Operations, Delivery of Security Applications, Design Applications, Endpoint Security Management, Information Security, IT Security Architecture, Network Security, Network Segmentation, Operational Technology (OT) Security, Security Analysis, Security Configuration Management, Security Engineering, Security Fundamentals, Security Infrastructure, Security Monitoring {+ 10 more}

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)

EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Remote

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

10/3/2026

***A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day before the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day before the job posting end date.

Requisition ID

R419880