Principal Threat Researcher

Overview

Principal Threat Researcher serving as the definitive subject matter expert on adversary behavior across Endpoint and Cloud environments, dissecting, replicating and outmaneuvering sophisticated cyber attack techniques and translating research into scalable detection recommendations.

What you'll do

• 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 such as 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 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 research findings and operational deliverables in an accessible, actionable manner to internal and external audiences.
• Serve as a technical mentor for more junior team members and colleagues pursuing research.

What you'll need

• 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.

Nice to have

• 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.

Details

• Remote role, reporting to the Manager Threat Research in the Threat Research Team.
• Full-time position.
• Base pay range $171,500 to $245,000 USD, excluding commission, bonus, equity (if applicable) and benefits.
• Locations listed: Bellevue, Washington, USA; Remote - USA; Santa Clara, California, USA.