Principal AI Security Specialist

Job 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 160+ public exchanges globally and thousands of private exchanges 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 AI Security Specialist to join our team. This is a Hybrid role, reporting to Ron Burkett. As enterprises race to adopt generative AI, Zscaler is seeking an experienced Principal AI Security Specialist to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI innovation and robust enterprise security. In this highly strategic, field-facing role, you will combine the elite consultative strengths of a Solutions Engineer with deep expertise in LLMs, RAG architectures, and data protection to serve as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 executives. As our premier technical authority, you will help customers confidently unlock the power of AI without compromising their data or infrastructure. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) • Architect the AI Technical Strategy: Partner with enterprise account teams to own and execute the technical sales strategy, driving complex, high-value AI security opportunities from discovery to close • Deliver Compelling, High-Impact Demos & POVs: Configure and present tailored, outcome-driven demonstrations of Zscaler’s AI security platform that resonate with both deep-tech practitioners and C-level executives • Serve as a Subject Matter Expert: Act as the field authority on modern AI patterns (such as RAG, agents, and prompt workflows), advising clients on how to prevent sensitive data exposure and unsanctioned AI usage • Scale the Field Motion: Collaborate with Product and Engineering to inject real-world customer feedback into the product roadmap, while building reusable demo assets and enablement playbooks to upscale our global sales force • Enable Those Around You: Develop reusable demos, technical assets, competitive positioning, and enablement content to help scale Zscaler’s AI field motion while sharing best practices and training with enterprise account teams Who You Are (Success Profile) • You thrive in ambiguity, remaining comfortable building the path as you walk it and viewing dynamic environments as the raw material to create something meaningful. • You act like an owner, letting your passion for the mission fuel a strong bias for action while navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. • You are a high-trust collaborator who is ambitious for the team, embracing a challenge culture by giving and receiving candor with clarity and respect. • You are customer-obsessed, building deep empathy for both internal and external customers to anchor decisions in solving real-world problems. • You are driven by innovation, possessing a deep curiosity for how things work and an energy for solving complex technical challenges to accelerate secure transformation. What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications) • Deep Fluency in AI/GenAI: Strong foundational knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), MCP (Model Context Protocol) orchestration patterns, and the inherent security risks associated with them • 10+ Years of Solutions Engineering Mastery: A proven track record in a customer-facing technical role (Sales Engineering, Solutions Architecture, or Technical Advisory) navigating complex, enterprise-level sales cycles • Enterprise Security Foundations: Solid grasp of cybersecurity principles, including Zero Trust architecture, data loss prevention (DLP), cloud-native security platforms, and API integrations • Elite Executive Communication: Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, with a demons