Principal Security Researcher

Zscaler, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 154,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Security Researcher to lead the management of their PKI environment. This role involves overseeing certificate operations, ensuring compliance with security standards, and developing automation solutions to streamline processes. Join a dynamic team that is at the forefront of cloud security, where your expertise will help protect enterprises from cyber threats. This position offers an opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals in a fast-paced environment, making a significant impact on the security landscape.

Benefits

Various health plans

Time off for vacation and sick leave

Parental leave options

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience managing PKI operations in production environments.
• Hands-on experience managing Certificate Authorities and PKI tools.
• Proficiency in cryptographic protocols and certificate lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full lifecycle of the PKI environment and manage certificate operations.
• Ensure compliance with security policies and develop automation solutions.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate cryptographic best practices.

Skills

PKI Operations Management

Cryptographic Protocols

Certificate Lifecycle Management

Scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell)

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Tools

Microsoft CA

EJBCA

AWS Certificate Manager

Azure Key Vault

Google Cloud KMS

Job description

About Zscaler

Serving thousands of enterprise customers around the world including 40% of Fortune 500 companies, Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) was founded in 2007 with a mission to make the cloud a safe place to do business and a more enjoyable experience for enterprise users. As the operator of the world's largest security cloud, Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so enterprises can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The pioneering, AI-powered Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform, which is found in our SASE and SSE offerings, protects thousands of enterprise customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Named a Best Workplace in Technology by Fortune and others, Zscaler fosters an inclusive and supportive culture that is home to some of the brightest minds in the industry. If you thrive in an environment that is fast-paced and collaborative, and you are passionate about building and innovating for the greater good, come make your next move with Zscaler.

Our Engineering team built the world's largest cloud security platform from the ground up, and we keep building. With more than 100 patents and big plans for enhancing services and increasing our global footprint, the team has made us and our multitenant architecture today's cloud security leader, with more than 15 million users in 185 countries. Bring your vision and passion to our team of cloud architects, software engineers, security experts, and more who are enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy.

We're looking for a Principal Security Researcher to join our Engineering team.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Information Security, you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the full lifecycle of the PKI environment, including Certificate Authorities (CAs), Intermediate CAs, CRLs, OCSP services, and HSMs


• Managing certificate lifecycle operations such as issuance, renewal, expiration monitoring, and revocation to avoid service disruptions


• Ensuring PKI operations comply with security policies, regulatory requirements, and cryptographic standards (e.g., TLS, RSA, ECC, HMAC)


• Developing automation solutions to streamline certificate management at scale


• Collaborating with engineering, product, IT, DevOps, and security teams to integrate cryptographic best practices into systems and products

What We're Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• 8+ years of experience managing PKI operations, certificates, or cryptographic security in production environments


• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience


• Proficiency in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) concepts, cryptographic protocols (e.g., TLS/SSL, RSA, ECC), and certificate lifecycle management


• Hands-on experience managing Certificate Authorities (CA), HSMs, and PKI tools (e.g., Microsoft CA, EJBCA, or equivalent)


• Scripting knowledge (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for automation and integration

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Expertise securing PKI operations in cloud-native environments (e.g., AWS Certificate Manager, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud KMS)


• Advanced understanding of emerging cryptographic algorithms (e.g., post-quantum cryptography)


• Experience integrating PKI systems into CI/CD pipelines and modern product lifecycles

#LI-Remote
#LI-CM3

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

$154,000—$220,000 USD

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!

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.