Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Zscaler, Inc.; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 182,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Zscaler, Inc. is seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer for a hybrid role based in San Jose, CA. You will lead the design and deployment of production-grade AI/ML systems within our cloud-native security platform, guiding junior engineers and aligning with global cybersecurity objectives.

You will optimize pipelines, explore advanced AI architectures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex threats while ensuring performance, scalability and reliability at scale.

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 focus on 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of production-ready AI/ML systems and pipelines for cybersecurity applications.
• Optimize existing machine learning pipelines for improved efficiency and scalability.
• Explore and experiment with advanced AI techniques and architectures to solve cybersecurity challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Ensure systems meet reliability, scalability and performance requirements.

Skills

Algorithms

Game Theory

Optimization

ML libraries

Data modeling

Feature engineering

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

AWS

GCP

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 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—focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality.

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 and see ambiguity as the raw material to build something meaningful.
• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action, and you operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome.
• You are a problem-solver. You love running towards challenges and 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, and embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback with clarity and respect.
• 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 stronger teammate.

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-to-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.

Base Pay Range

$182,000-260,000 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.

Pay Transparency

Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules.

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.

We are 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, and local laws.

See more information by clicking on the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal link.

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.