Senior Detection Engineer

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. Role We are looking for a Senior Detection Engineer to join our team . This is a Costa Rica role, reporting to the Senior Manager of Threat Hunting in the Zscaler Threat Hunting department . Detection Engineers are responsible for advancing threat detection and hunting capabilities of our managed threat hunting service by combining Threat Researcher and Detection Engineering skills to develop next-generation detection logic . You will utilize tools like Python, SQL, AWS services, YAML-based detection logic, and SIGMA-like rules while contributing to the scalability and maintenance of engineering projects across data platforms like Hadoop and Athena . Finally, this position requires independently writing and updating detections and playbooks, which includes working flexible hours, such as weekend night shifts and providing on-call support . What you’ll do (Role Expectations) Develop next-generation detection logic for threat hunters utilizing Python, SQL, AWS services, YAML-based logic, and SIGMA-like rules Contribute to the scalability and maintenance of engineering projects leveraging data platforms such as Hadoop and Athena Independently write and update threat detections and operational playbooks Work flexible hours, including weekend night shifts, and provide on-call support to maintain consistent service coverage 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. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution, 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 are obsessed with your own development, 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) Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain Hands-on experience developing and implementing detection rules in a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool, such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or ElasticSearch Familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK framework and experience translating TTPs into actionable detection logic Scripting and automation skills using Python for developing and managing detection infrastructure Experience writing and optimizing IDS/IPS and YARA signatures, validating detection logic, and performing root cause analysis of detection failures What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications) Experience leveraging AI security tools or Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate the generation, parsin