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 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. We are looking for an Applied AI Architect, HR to join our team. This is a hybrid role (in office Tuesday-Thursday) in our Santa Clara, CA HQ or Bellevue, WA office, reporting to the AI Transformation Director in the Global People & Culture Organization. Human Resources is being transformed around Human + AI optimization, and you will be the driving force behind this transformation. Part builder, part co-builder, and part teacher, you will spearhead our transition to an AI-native HR function by encoding the judgment of our best practitioners into safe, governed agents that seamlessly integrate with human ingenuity to unlock unprecedented outcomes. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) Design, deploy, and continuously improve the most impactful and high-risk agents using Gemini agent builder, Claude, Codex, and MCP integrations, owning the full maturity path from initial prototype to a hardened, governed product Pair deeply with subject matter experts—from compensation analysts to recruiters—to build domain-specific agents, transferring your technical craft so they can independently maintain and evolve their own tools Redesign workflows from the inside out to ensure we solve fundamental process issues rather than simply automating a broken system Operate what you ship as a true product owner by monitoring adoption, diagnosing failures, and guiding stakeholders to turn skeptics into sponsors Partner closely with the AI Center of Excellence and Forward Deployed Engineering team to solve the hardest technical integration challenges on shared rails, as well as co-create mature governance standards Who You Are (Success Profile) You are a “Figure-it-out” person who navigates ambiguity with ease and addresses fundamental process issues rather than bolting AI onto the current state You are technically fluent and a proven builder with a portfolio of shipped, adopted GenAI agents, hands-on with skills, MCPs, data, automations, prompt design, and evals You are a force multiplier who teaches as you work, measuring your success by the new capabilities you leave behind in others You are a champion of adoption and change management who brings stakeholders along and ensures deployments stick in real-world applications You are deeply aware of the risks associated with people data, building with care while defining the long-term playbook for an AI-native HR function What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications) Demonstrated hands-on experience building AI agents, automations, or tools that changed how real work gets done Technical fluency sufficient to design agents architecture and instructions, work with MCPs and governance systems, and evaluate outputs at the system level without needing engineering handholding. Track record of taking solutions from problem identification through real adoption while simultaneously upskilling others through training, enablement, or sustained co-working Highly autonomous, self-directed, and comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a domain being invented in real time What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications) Sit at the rare intersection of engineering depth and HR practice, ensuring we avoid both technically correct agents that the field ignores and HR prototypes that do not scale Possess a deep understanding of how to balance cutting-edge agent building with the practical realities, risks, and sensitivities of HR operations Drawn to early-stage, high-impact opportunities and eager to be a primary author of the playbook for AI-native HR #LI-RL2 #LI-Hybrid 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 $117,250 — $167,500 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.

Requirements

Must-haves

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)
Pair deeply with subject matter experts—from compensation analysts to recruiters—to build domain-specific agents, transferring your technical craft so they can independently maintain and evolve their own tools
Redesign workflows from the inside out to ensure we solve fundamental process issues rather than simply automating a broken system
Operate what you ship as a true product owner by monitoring adoption, diagnosing failures, and guiding stakeholders to turn skeptics into sponsors
Partner closely with the AI Center of Excellence and Forward Deployed Engineering team to solve the hardest technical integration challenges on shared rails, as well as co-create mature governance standards
Who You Are (Success Profile)
You are a “Figure-it-out” person who navigates ambiguity with ease and addresses fundamental process issues rather than bolting AI onto the current state
You are technically fluent and a proven builder with a portfolio of shipped, adopted GenAI agents, hands-on with skills, MCPs, data, automations, prompt design, and evals
You are a force multiplier who teaches as you work, measuring your success by the new capabilities you leave behind in others
You are a champion of adoption and change management who brings stakeholders along and ensures deployments stick in real-world applications
You are deeply aware of the risks associated with people data, building with care while defining the long-term playbook for an AI-native HR function
What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)
Demonstrated hands-on experience building AI agents, automations, or tools that changed how real work gets done
Technical fluency sufficient to design agents architecture and instructions, work with MCPs and governance systems, and evaluate outputs at the system level without needing engineering handholding.
Track record of taking solutions from problem identification through real adoption while simultaneously upskilling others through training, enablement, or sustained co-working
Highly autonomous, self-directed, and comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a domain being invented in real time
Sit at the rare intersection of engineering depth and HR practice, ensuring we avoid both technically correct agents that the field ignores and HR prototypes that do not scale
Possess a deep understanding of how to balance cutting-edge agent building with the practical realities, risks, and sensitivities of HR operations
Drawn to early-stage, high-impact opportunities and eager to be a primary author of the playbook for AI-native HR
Various health plans
Time off plans for vacation and sick time
Retirement options
Education reimbursement

Nice-to-haves

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

agileai

Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Parental Leave