Principal Threat Researcher
Zscaler
$171,500 - $245,000 / year
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Description
Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 200+ public data centers globally and thousands of private sites at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.
We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback. Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.
Role
We are looking for a Principal Threat Researcher to join our team. This is a remote role, reporting to the Manager Threat Research in the Threat Research Team. As our Principal Threat Researcher, you will serve as the definitive subject matter expert on adversary behavior across Endpoint and Cloud environments. You will dissect, replicate, and outmaneuver sophisticated cyber attack techniques to understand exactly how they operate and how to defeat them. By translating complex threat research into concrete, scalable detection recommendations, you will act as the innovation driver for our defensive capabilities. In this pivotal role, your insights won't just live in a whitepaper—they will directly prioritize our engineering efforts, shape product strategy, influence vendor telemetry, and ensure robust, industry-leading protection for our entire customer base.
What you’ll do (Role Expectations)
- Scope and continuously refine research initiatives, applying an adversarial mindset to analyze emerging attack techniques, customer impact, and detection data sources across at least one operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and major Cloud/SaaS providers like AWS, Microsoft 365, and Okta
- Dive deep into the technical components and detection optics underlying specific threats to fully comprehend how adversaries control and manipulate variations of a given technique
- Leverage your endpoint and cloud expertise to engineer automated attack code, write test code to validate threat coverage, and develop proofs of concept for new detections.
- Collaborate across Zscaler to develop new detection methodologies and engineering recommendations, working closely with detection engineers, intelligence analysts, and threat hunters to prioritize and refine deliverables
- Document and present your research findings and operational deliverables in an accessible, actionable manner to internal and external audiences, while serving as a technical mentor for more junior team members and colleagues pursuing research
Who You Are (Success Profile)
- You thrive in ambiguity, comfortably building the path forward in dynamic environments and leveraging uncertainty as raw material to create meaningful security solutions.
- You act like an owner, bringing passion for the mission and seamlessly navigating between high-level threat strategy and hands-on technical execution.
- You are an energized problem-solver who actively seeks out complex security challenges, knowing that tackling tough technical problems yields the greatest impact.
- You are a high-trust collaborator who thrives in a challenge culture, using transparent feedback and clarity to elevate team performance and build mutual trust.
- You are a continuous learner with a growth mindset who actively seeks feedback, develops new expertise, and approaches work with genuine purpose.
What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)
- Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
- 12+ years of experience conducting security research with actionable outcomes
- Extensive security expertise in at least one operating system alongside experience working with commercial Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) platforms
- Security experience in at least one cloud service provider (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure), Cloud architectures, and Cloud-based detection platforms
- Software development experience in at least one scripting language (e.g., PowerShell, Python) and one compiled/assembled language (e.g., C, C++, Rust, Go)
- Experience managing code with version control systems like git/GitHub
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
- Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
- An established record of public community engagement, such as conference talks, technical blog posts, or webinars
- Prior experience developing relationships with security vendors to drive product enhancements or building attack technique automation frameworks
#LI-KM9 #LI-Remote
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.
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!
Learn more about Zscaler's hybrid working model and benefits here.
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.
Benefits
- stock options
- parental leave
About this role
Zscaler is seeking a Principal Threat Researcher to lead deep technical investigations into adversary behavior across endpoint and cloud environments. In this remote role, you'll reverse-engineer sophisticated attack techniques, develop automated proofs of concept, and translate your findings into concrete detection strategies that directly shape the company's product roadmap and protect thousands of customers. You'll work at the intersection of research and engineering, collaborating with detection engineers and threat hunters to turn complex security challenges into scalable defensive capabilities.
The position demands 12+ years of hands-on security research experience, with strong technical depth in at least one operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and demonstrated expertise in cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft 365, or Okta. You'll need proficiency across multiple programming languages—both scripting (PowerShell, Python) and compiled languages (C, C++, Rust, Go)—along with familiarity in AI/ML technologies and commercial EDR platforms. This is a role for someone comfortable operating in ambiguity, who can move fluidly between strategic threat analysis and technical execution while mentoring junior researchers and presenting findings to both internal and external audiences.
The salary range is $171,500 to $245,000 base, with the actual offer determined by your specific experience, skills, and background. This role would suit a seasoned researcher with a track record of public engagement—conference talks, technical publications, or vendor relationship-building—who is energized by tackling hard problems and thrives in collaborative, feedback-driven environments.
How this employer is doing
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- H1B: Active Visa Sponsor
- Leadership Change
- Active Visa Sponsor
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Pay for this role
$171,500 to $245,000 per year
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