Senior Sales Engineer - Federal

About Zscaler

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise, we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate—we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession, collaboration, ownership, and accountability.

We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Zscaler is seeking a Senior Sales Engineer to join our Federal team, specifically focused on the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) and Federal System Integrator (FSI) vertical. This is a hands-on technical role where you are responsible for architecting technical solutions that directly address and resolve critical customer pain points within the world’s most mission-critical environments.
We are looking for a critical thinker who can persuasively connect the dots between a customer’s desired business outcomes and the underlying technical levers that make them a reality. For the right candidate, this is a career opportunity to be at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry.

What You’ll Do (The Role)

• Oversee the technical sales process by translating complex enterprise requirements into transformative Zero Trust solution architectures. You are responsible for explaining the why to a CIO and the how to a network engineer with equal fluency and precision.
• Lead Proof of Value (POV) engagements from start to finish. As the hands-on technical expert, you will prove the simplicity and efficacy of the Zscaler platform. You will produce high-quality POV assets and documentation that clearly articulate Zscaler’s differentiated value.
• Cultivate technical champions by providing responsive, thoughtful technical counsel. You will earn trusted advisor status with your customers by anticipating their needs and providing insights that drive mission success.
• Sharing ownership of account development strategies with your Account Executive—from pipeline generation to the final technical win.

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You champion simplicity. You are skilled at distilling complex problems, user needs, and technical concepts into clear, simple, and actionable plans. You are a precise communicator who brings clarity and focus to every interaction.
• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. You adapt to what’s needed, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You have dynamic range: You navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are resilient and adaptable. You view change as an opportunity and setbacks as temporary. You maintain composure and focus in high-pressure situations, guiding yourself and your team through complexity with a steady, positive hand.
• You understand that selling is a team sport. You are collegial, customer-obsessed, and highly responsive to both customers and internal colleagues. You genuinely enjoy helping others succeed.

What We’re Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–8+ years as a Sales Engineer or Systems Integrator, with a deep understanding of the Federal, FSI, and A&D ecosystems.
• You possess a proven track record of moving large-scale customers from legacy architectures to modern, cloud-native Zero Trust security models.
• Technical Foundation: Deep, hands-on knowledge of network security, Zero Trust architecture, and SSE/SASE.

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Cloud Proficiency: Hands-on experience across multiple Cloud Service Providers (AWS, Azure, and GCP).
• Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving.
• Compliance & Industry Credibility: Familiarity with Federal compliance frameworks (e.g., CMMC).
• Certifications: Industry certifications including CISSP, CCSP, CCNP, PCNSA, or JNCIP.

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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$154,875—$210,000 USD

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.