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.

The Role

We’re seeking an exceptional AI/ML Intern – ZPA AI Segmentation to join our Engineering Department. This is a Hybrid role, requiring office presence in San Jose, CA, and reporting to the Sr. Director, Software Development Engineering.

The AI/ML Intern – ZPA AI Segmentation will focus on developing, training, and deploying machine learning models to enhance the segmentation and policy enforcement capabilities of the Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) platform. This role involves working with large datasets to build intelligent systems that automate security controls, directly contributing to the scalability and intelligence of our zero trust architecture. You will gain hands-on experience applying cutting-edge AI/ML techniques to critical, real-world cloud security challenges.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• ZPA AI Segmentation: Collaborate with ZPA engineering teams to develop intelligent segmentation algorithms leveraging AI/ML to enhance network and application security. Design and implement supervised and unsupervised learning techniques for behavior-based segmentation of assets and users.
• Agentic AI Design & Development: Support the research and development of Agentic AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making within secure networks. Explore the integration of AI agents into enterprise solution architectures to automate security workflows and enhance proactive threat management.
• Advanced User Profiling: Build user profiling solutions powered by AI/ML to identify user patterns, preferences, and potential risks. Assist in the development of predictive analytics models to anticipate user requirements and offer personalized ZPA solutions.
• Programming and Code Development: Develop robust and efficient AI capabilities using Java and Python within the ZPA framework. Write clean, modular, and production-ready code while collaborating with experienced senior engineers.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including senior engineers, product managers, and research scientists, to translate abstract AI/ML concepts into tangible solutions. Seek mentorship and support to strengthen your technical and professional skills during the internship.

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
• 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 are a problem-solver. You seek out challenges because you are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
• You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and never stop developing yourself, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Actively pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with hands-on experience utilizing key machine learning and data libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, Pandas, Num Py, or Tensor Flow/Py Torch).
• Solid theoretical understanding of core machine learning concepts, including supervised/unsupervised learning, model evaluation metrics, and data structures/algorithms.
• Motivated self-starter with a passion for innovation and technology, particularly in applying advanced analytics to real-world security challenges.

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Prior coursework or project experience related to network protocols, zero trust architectures, network segmentation, or cybersecurity policy enforcement.
• Hands-on experience with advanced deep learning frameworks or specific experience in time-series analysis relevant to network telemetry data.

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:

$45—$65 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 Future of Work strategy, 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.