Principal Security Researcher

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

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Security Researcher to join their innovative Engineering team. This role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of the PKI environment, managing certificate operations, and ensuring compliance with security standards. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate cryptographic best practices and develop automation solutions. If you're passionate about security and thrive in a dynamic environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in cloud security. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and diversity, and help shape the future of secure cloud solutions.

Benefits

Time off plans for vacation and sick time

Parental leave options

Retirement options

In-office perks

Qualifications

• 8+ years in PKI operations and cryptographic security.
• Experience with managing Certificate Authorities and HSMs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee PKI environment lifecycle and manage certificate operations.
• Ensure compliance with security policies and develop automation solutions.

Skills

PKI Operations Management

Cryptographic Security

Certificate Lifecycle Management

Scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Microsoft CA

EJBCA

AWS Certificate Manager

Azure Key Vault

Google Cloud KMS

Job description

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

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 believe in innovation, productivity, and success. We are looking for individuals from all backgrounds and identities to join our team and contribute to our mission to make doing business seamless and secure. We are guided by these principles as we create a representative and impactful team, and a culture where everyone belongs.

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:

• Time off plans for vacation and sick time
• Parental leave options
• Retirement options
• 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.