Zhu served as commander of the PLAAF 30th Fighter Division, and chief of staff of Dalian Air Base. He became assistant chief of staff of the PLAAF in June 1990, and was transferred to the PLA General Staff Department (GSD) in December 1994, working in air force affairs. He attained the rank of major general in July 2000, and was promoted to Director of the Political Department of the GSD in May 2005.