About this role.
This is a remote Commercial Sales Engineer role at Zscaler, a leader in cloud security, supporting the Central region. The primary responsibility is to drive technical pre-sales activities, including delivering product presentations, gathering customer requirements, and leading product evaluations to ensure proposed solutions meet customer needs. The ideal candidate has a proven cybersecurity and networking background with hands-on experience in TCP/IP, DNS, routing, VPN, and firewalls. This role requires a problem-solver with a growth mindset who thrives in a collaborative, customer-obsessed culture. The position reports to the Manager of Sales Engineering and is part of a global team focused on securing the AI age.
Role DNA
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4/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
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Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Commercial Sales Engineer position at Zscaler. With a strong background in cybersecurity and networking, including hands-on experience with TCP/IP, DNS, routing, VPN, and firewalls, I am well-prepared to deliver technical presentations and design solutions that address customer challenges. Your emphasis on high-impact, high-accountability and customer obsession resonates with my professional values, and I am eager to contribute to a team that is securing the AI age.
In my previous roles, I successfully led product evaluations and custom configurations, collaborating closely with sales teams and customers to drive successful outcomes. I thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments and am passionate about simplifying complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with Zscaler's mission and to bring my problem-solving mindset to your Central team.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Sample interview questions
In my previous role, I worked with a client who was resistant to changing their legacy security infrastructure. I scheduled multiple discovery sessions to understand their pain points, focusing on their compliance requirements and uptime concerns. By mapping their needs to specific features of our solution and demonstrating a proof-of-concept in their environment, I gained their trust. Ultimately, the client approved the solution because it directly addressed their documented requirements and reduced their operational overhead by 30%.
First, I would clarify the underlying business need behind the feature request, as often there is an alternative approach. I would engage the customer in a discussion about their end goal and demonstrate how existing product capabilities or a configuration can achieve the same outcome. If it remains a gap, I would document it as an enhancement request and provide a clear timeline or workaround. The key is to maintain transparency and focus on solving the customer's problem, even if it requires creative solutions.
Zero Trust architecture assumes that no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of its location within or outside the network perimeter. It enforces strict identity verification and least-privilege access controls. Unlike traditional VPNs, which grant broad access to the network once authenticated, Zero Trust provides segmented access to specific applications and services. This reduces the attack surface and limits lateral movement in case of a breach. Zscaler's platform embodies this model by connecting users directly to applications, not the network.
I start by aligning on success criteria and desired outcomes with both the sales team and the customer. From there, I design an evaluation test plan that is realistic and focused on the customer's key pain points. During the evaluation, I maintain regular communication to address any issues and adjust the plan if needed. I also involve the customer champion and IT team to ensure buy-in. At the end, I deliver a clear summary of results, mapping each requirement to a successful test. This structured approach ensures a high win rate because it reduces surprises and builds consensus.
I dedicate time each week to reading threat intelligence reports, following industry blogs, and participating in webinars and certifications such as CISSP and vendor-specific training. This continuous learning allows me to speak credibly with customers about emerging threats like ransomware and AI-driven attacks. In pre-sales conversations, having up-to-date knowledge helps me ask smarter questions and position our solutions as proactive, not reactive. It also builds trust with technical buyers who expect deep expertise.
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.
We are looking for a Commercial Sales Engineer to join our Central team. This is a remote role, reporting to the Manager of Sales Engineering. The Zscaler Sales and Go-to-Market team is a global group of professionals who are passionate about delighting our customers, nurturing trusted partnerships, and sharing their expertise to drive a secure, cloud-enabled digital future and further cement our position as the world leader in cloud security. Sales, Customer Success, Sales Enablement, Solution Architects, Business Development, Transformation, and Technology Partnerships all work together to demonstrate the power and agility of Zscaler cloud transformation to the world.
What you’ll do (Role Expectations)
Create and deliver technical product presentations to prospective customers
Gather customer technical requirements to ensure proposed solutions will meet customer goals and needs
Lead product evaluations and custom product configurations
Design evaluation test plans with customers and guide the process to successful outcomes
Who You Are (Success Profile)
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.
You are customer-obsessed. You build deep empathy for the customer—both internal and external—and anchor your decisions in solving their real-world problems. You champion their needs from start to finish, knowing their success is our success.
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.
What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)
Proven cybersecurity and networking technical background with hands-on experience in network fundamentals such as TCP/IP, DNS, routing, VPN, and firewalls
2+ years of experience as a Sales Engineer or Network Systems integrator
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent working experience
Ability to travel to visit with customers
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
Technical certifications such as CCNA, Network+, CCNP, CCIE, or Security+
Prior experience closing deals in a quota-carrying role
Experience running multiple POVs in tandem and working with small to medium-sized business or enterprise accounts in the networking or cybersecurity space
#LI-AA5
#Remote
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.
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.
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