Staff Software Development Engineer

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 200+ public data centers globally and thousands of private sites at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback. Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.

Role

We are looking for a Staff Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid (Santa Clara, CA) role, reporting to the Sr. Director, Software Development Engineering in the Zero Trust Exchange (ZPA Logging Analytics AI-ML) department. Zscaler is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to research, design, develop, and enhance computer and network software for ZPA Logging and Analytics. This role focuses on building robust, scalable data infrastructure and software platforms that support both internal and external users. The engineer will work on large-scale systems that collect and process billions of log events from globally distributed cloud infrastructure and transform that data into actionable insights for customers and researchers.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Research, design, develop, and implement computer and network software, including specialized utility programs, for Zscaler products based on business and user requirements
• Analyze user needs and apply principles of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to create scalable, reliable, and effective software solutions
• Build, maintain, and optimize robust data infrastructure to support large-scale batch processing and real-time data workloads across distributed cloud environments
• Design and implement secure, high-performance database schemas, data models, APIs, and data platforms that ingest billions of log events and deliver actionable analytics and visibility
• Participate in agile development processes to enhance existing software and platforms, with strong focus on code quality, supportability, scalability, performance, and continuous improvement

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity and are comfortable building the path as you walk it, viewing dynamic environments as an opportunity to design and deliver meaningful solutions.
• You act like an owner with a strong bias for action, operating with high integrity and seamlessly transitioning between high-level architectural strategy and hands-on code execution.
• You are a high-trust collaborator who is ambitious for the team's success, actively embracing a healthy challenge culture by giving and receiving respectful, candid feedback.
• You are a pragmatic builder obsessed with creating, iterating, and shipping software, willing to roll up your sleeves to build prototypes while balancing technical excellence with rapid user value.
• You are data-driven, leveraging analytics and concrete evidence over assumptions to find the truth, measure impact, and guide critical engineering decisions.

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
• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Strong experience with public cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure, etc.) and cloud-native API and microservice development
• Proven experience with Java, Spring Framework, Kafka, Kubernetes, and Docker
• Experience building scalable batch and real-time data pipelines and designing systems for security, scaling, multi-tenancy, high availability, and disaster recovery

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Experience leveraging AI tools and methodologies to accelerate the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and improve developer productivity
• Technical expertise in Apache Spark for large-scale data processing
• Practical experience working with Machine Learning (ML) models, systems, or pipelines

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.

Base Pay Range

$152,000 - $190,000 USD

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.