Principal AI Security Specialist - Federal

Overview

Principal AI Security Specialist in a field-facing role, serving as the technical authority on securing enterprise AI and GenAI adoption and advising Fortune 500 executives and architects.

What you'll do

• Partner with enterprise account teams to own and execute the technical sales strategy for complex, high-value AI security opportunities, from discovery to close.
• Configure and present tailored, outcome-driven demonstrations of Zscaler's AI security platform to both deep-tech practitioners and C-level executives.
• Take customers through successful demos and POVs when needed to validate Zscaler's ability to securely enable enterprise AI.
• Act as the field authority on modern AI patterns (such as RAG, agents, and prompt workflows), advising clients on preventing sensitive data exposure and unsanctioned AI usage.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to inject real-world customer feedback into the product roadmap.
• Build reusable demos, technical assets, competitive positioning, and enablement content to scale Zscaler's AI field motion, and share best practices and training with enterprise account teams.

What you'll need

• Deep fluency in AI/GenAI, including 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 in a customer-facing technical role (Sales Engineering, Solutions Architecture, or Technical Advisory) navigating complex, enterprise-level sales cycles.
• Solid grasp of enterprise security principles, including Zero Trust architecture, data loss prevention (DLP), cloud-native security platforms, and API integrations.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex AI architectures into business value and security outcomes.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Solutions Engineering, Product, Engineering, Marketing, and other go-to-market teams in a hyper-growth, rapidly evolving market.

Nice to have

• Hands-on AI prototyping: interacting with LLM APIs, scripting, creating agentic automation routines, and building lightweight AI applications.
• Advanced AI risk expertise: direct experience helping enterprises deploy production AI technologies while navigating data leakage, model governance, compliance frameworks, and shadow AI usage.
• A history of creating high-impact field assets, technical workshops, and competitive positioning content that helps broader go-to-market teams win.

Details

• Location: McLean, Virginia, USA; Remote - D.C., USA.
• Full-time position.
• Target OTE range: $268,000 - $335,000 depending on experience.
• Eligible for a grant of restricted stock units, subject to board approval.