The race to secure generative AI is accelerating, and Lakera — now part of Check Point — is placing a big bet on Zürich. The company is hiring an Engineering Manager for its Detectors Group, a role that will lead the machine learning systems at the heart of its GenAI and agentic AI defenses.
What the Engineering Manager, Detectors role entails
This is not a standard engineering management position. Lakera is looking for a senior ML leader who can drive technical strategy, manage multiple work streams, and scale the Detectors Group — currently around 12 engineers — as the company expands. The role reports directly to senior leadership and works closely with ML engineers and researchers.
Why this hire matters for GenAI security
Generative AI applications are vulnerable to prompt injection, data poisoning, and model manipulation. Lakera’s Detectors Group builds the core ML systems that identify and block these threats in real time. As enterprises adopt GenAI and agentic AI — systems that act autonomously — the need for specialized security layers becomes critical. This role directly shapes how those defenses evolve.
Lakera’s journey from startup to Check Point company
Lakera started as a Swiss AI security startup focused on protecting LLM applications. In 2024, it was acquired by Check Point Software Technologies, a global cybersecurity giant with over $2 billion in annual revenue. The acquisition gave Lakera access to Check Point’s enterprise distribution, threat intelligence network, and R&D resources — while keeping its Zürich operations intact.
Who this role affects
For ML engineers and security researchers in Europe, this signals that Zürich is becoming a hub for AI security leadership. For enterprises deploying GenAI, it means Lakera is investing heavily in detection capabilities. For job seekers, it represents a rare opportunity to lead a team building frontier AI defenses at a company backed by one of the world’s largest cybersecurity firms.
What Lakera says about the mission
Lakera describes the Detectors Group’s mission as delivering “the best, fastest, and broadest threat detection for GenAI and agentic AI applications.” The company emphasizes speed, breadth, and reliability — three factors that matter when AI systems operate in real-time production environments where a single vulnerability can cause significant damage.
What makes this role different from typical ML management
Most ML engineering manager roles focus on building models for recommendation systems, fraud detection, or NLP pipelines. This role is different: it focuses on adversarial ML — defending against attacks specifically designed to exploit AI systems. The Detectors Group must stay ahead of evolving threats, requiring deep expertise in both ML and security.
Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear
Confirmed: Lakera is hiring for this role in Zürich with a hybrid work model. The Detectors Group has ~12 engineers. The company is a Check Point subsidiary. Unclear: The exact compensation range, the reporting structure details, and whether the role requires on-site presence in Zürich on specific days. These details are typically shared during the application process.
Why Lakera’s technology moat matters
Lakera’s competitive advantage lies in its proprietary detection models trained specifically for GenAI threats. Unlike generic security tools, Lakera’s systems understand the unique attack surface of LLMs — including prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data extraction. Combined with Check Point’s global threat intelligence network, this creates a moat that is difficult for new entrants to replicate quickly.
Risks and balanced view
The role comes with challenges. The AI security landscape is evolving rapidly, and detection models must constantly adapt to new attack techniques. There is also the risk of talent competition — Zürich’s tech scene is growing, and top ML engineers are in high demand. Additionally, the integration with Check Point could bring cultural shifts that affect team dynamics.
The broader trend: AI security becomes a dedicated function
This hire reflects a wider industry shift. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are building dedicated AI security teams. Startups like Protect AI and HiddenLayer are raising significant funding. The message is clear: as AI moves from experimentation to production, security is no longer an afterthought — it is a core engineering function.
What this means for AI security professionals
For ML engineers and security researchers, this role signals that Zürich is a serious destination for AI security careers. The combination of a cutting-edge mission, a strong team, and the backing of Check Point makes this a compelling opportunity. For those interested, the role is listed on Lakera’s careers page and major job platforms.
What happens next
Lakera will likely fill this role within the next few months. Once hired, the Engineering Manager will focus on scaling the team, refining detection models, and integrating with Check Point’s broader security platform. The hire will also influence how Lakera approaches agentic AI security — a rapidly emerging field where AI systems act autonomously and require new defense paradigms.
Our Take
This is more than a job posting — it is a signal. Lakera’s decision to hire a senior ML leader for its Detectors Group in Zürich shows that AI security is maturing from a niche concern to a core business function. For enterprises, it reinforces the need to invest in specialized AI protection. For the tech community, it confirms that Zürich is becoming a serious player in the AI security landscape. The real test will be execution: can Lakera stay ahead of attackers who are also using AI to develop new exploits?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Engineering Manager, Detectors at Lakera do?
They lead the Detectors Group, which builds the machine learning systems that detect threats against GenAI and agentic AI applications. The role involves managing ~12 engineers, driving technical strategy, and scaling the team.
Where is the Lakera Engineering Manager role based?
The role is based in Zürich, Switzerland, with a hybrid work model. Specific on-site requirements are not publicly detailed.
What qualifications does Lakera require for this role?
Lakera is looking for a senior ML leader with deep expertise in machine learning, experience managing engineering teams, and a background in AI security or adversarial ML. The role requires both technical depth and leadership capability.
Why is Lakera hiring for this role now?
As GenAI adoption accelerates, the need for specialized security grows. Lakera, now backed by Check Point, is scaling its detection capabilities to meet enterprise demand for real-time AI threat protection.
