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 an experienced Senior Staff Development Engineer to join our Engineering team. This role is hybrid and based in San Jose, CA, reporting to the Director, Software Engineering. You will join a team that built the world’s largest cloud security platform from the ground up, continuing to innovate with more than 100 patents. You will bring your vision and passion to a team of cloud architects and security experts enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy.
What you’ll do (Role Expectations)
Designing, developing, and optimizing the system, including networking and security features, to support high-performance applications
Ensuring federal certifications such as FIPS, FedRAMP, Common Criteria, and SOC2 compliance
Creating design and functional specification documents while performing unit testing and automation to ensure quality
Collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve system-related issues and innovate features to expand capabilities
Applying strong software design principles to deliver reliable, scalable, and impactful product improvements
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)
Bachelor's or Master's (preferred) degree in Computer Science or a related field, with 8+ years of experience in system engineering for high-performance networking
Expertise in Linux kernel-based networking (L2/L3), Stateful Firewall, Network drivers, QoS, and protocols like VLANs, DHCP, DNS, and IPSec
Proficiency in C and Python programming languages, with excellent problem-solving skills for debugging complex data path issues
Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams
Solid understanding of security infrastructure and the technical skills required for efficient and scalable systems design
What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)
Experience in user space data path technologies such as VPP, DPDK, SR-IOV, NFV, and SDN, along with federal compliance certifications
Familiarity with cloud computing platforms like AWS or Azure and containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
Expertise in advanced networking, virtualization, and security solutions
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-CM3
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 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.
Top Skills
Zscaler Bellevue, Washington, USA Office
777 108th Avenue NE Suite 1750, Bellevue, WA, United States, 98004
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