Staff Software Development Engineer

Posted Yesterday
Easy Apply
Be an Early Applicant
Location, WV, USA
Hybrid
Senior level
Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Secure, simplify, and transform your enterprise with zero trust.
The Role
Design, develop, and optimize system-level software on Linux/FreeBSD. Automate infrastructure and monitoring with Python/Shell, create and export VM images across AWS/Azure/GCP, profile performance and troubleshoot bottlenecks, collaborate on distributed architecture, and use Jenkins pipelines for build/test/deploy.
Summary Generated by Built In

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're looking for an experienced Staff Software Engineer to join our Engineering team to contribute as development engineer. Reporting to the  Director, Software Engineering. You'll be responsible for:

  • Working with Linux/FreeBSD-based systems for software development, including configuration and scripting for system-level optimization.
  • Proficiently working with public cloud platforms AWS, Azure, and GCP, creating and exporting VM images. 
  • Writing and maintaining automation scripts with Python or Shell for infrastructure tasks, system monitoring, and cloud-based workloads.
  • Performance profiling: Analyze system performance, Identify and troubleshoot bottlenecks in resource utilization
  • Collaborating with senior engineers to understand, debug, and resolve system and application-level issues
  • Basic C/Python/Go Programming experience

What We're Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

  • 5+ years of experience in C programming with a strong understanding of its core principles and performance optimization.
  • Hands-on experience with Python and/or Shell scripting for automation tasks to improve workflow efficiency.
  • Solid knowledge of Linux/FreeBSD-based operating systems, including process management, threading, memory management, and networking.
  • Proficiency in working with AWS, Azure, and GCP, including tasks like creating VM images, exporting them, and maintaining the infrastructure.
  • Working knowledge of distributed architecture design and maintenance.
  • Familiarity with Jenkins pipelines for building, testing, and deploying software efficiently.

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Hands on experience with database internals, tuning and optimization.
  • Knowledge of networking concepts and protocols, with hands-on experience translating them into system-level solutions.
  • Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git) for collaborative development.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Ability to work collaboratively, aligning goals with the engineering and DevOps teams.
  • A proactive approach to improving system design, code, and infrastructure automation.
  • Willingness to learn new platforms and technologies as they emerge.

#LI- SU1 #Hybrid

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.

Skills Required

  • 5+ years of experience in C programming with strong understanding and performance optimization
  • Hands-on experience with Python and/or Shell scripting for automation tasks
  • Solid knowledge of Linux/FreeBSD-based operating systems including process management, threading, memory management, and networking
  • Proficiency with AWS, Azure, and GCP, including creating and exporting VM images and maintaining infrastructure
  • Working knowledge of distributed architecture design and maintenance
  • Familiarity with Jenkins pipelines for building, testing, and deploying software
  • Basic C/Python/Go programming experience
  • Hands-on experience with database internals, tuning and optimization
  • Knowledge of networking concepts and protocols with system-level implementation experience
  • Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git)
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work collaboratively with engineering and DevOps teams
  • Proactive approach to improving system design, code, and infrastructure automation
  • Willingness to learn new platforms and technologies

What the Team is Saying

Zscaler Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Multiple medical plan options (Anthem and Kaiser, including HSA), virtual primary care, Lyra mental‑health support with TELUS EAP, fertility and gender‑inclusive care, and a cancer‑care navigation program are included. Dental (Delta Dental) and vision (VSP) coverage round out a broad health offering.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Hybrid work and “flexible time off” for most salaried roles are provided alongside paid sick, bereavement, military leave, and company holidays. The approach is designed to allow time away without a preset cap for eligible employees.
  • Retirement Support A 401(k) through Fidelity includes a company match up to $5,000 per year. Company‑paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance add financial protection alongside retirement savings.

Zscaler Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Jose, CA
8,697 Employees
Year Founded: 2007

What We Do

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. Our cloud native Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Why Work With Us

Our impact comes from how we work—every day, in every decision, as one team. Our values and leadership principles are more than words; they're our operating system. They fuel a culture of execution where trust, transparency, and accountability help us deliver meaningful results for our customers, colleagues, and our company. www.zscaler.com/culture

Gallery

Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery

Zscaler Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: 3 days a week
HQSan Jose Headquarters
Tokyo
Alpharetta, GA
Amsterdam, NL
Bellevue, WA
Bengaluru, IN
Boston, MA
Burnaby, BC
Frankfurt am Main, DE
Gurugram, Haryana
Hyderabad, Telangana
Kita, JP
London, GB
Madrid, Madrid
Melbourne, VIC
Milan, IT
Mohali, Punjab
Mumbai, Maharashtra
München, DE
New York, NY
Paris, FR
Plano, TX
Pune, Maharashtra
Ramat Gan, IL
San Rafael, San Rafael de Escazú
Singapore, SG
Stockholm, SE
Sydney, Sydney
Valencia, ES
Wien, AT
Wrocław, PL
Zürich, CH
Learn more

Similar Jobs

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Product Specialist

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
USA
8697 Employees
165K-235K Annually

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Senior Sales Engineer

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Location, WV, USA
8697 Employees

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Benefits Analyst - AMS

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
USA
8697 Employees
145K-182K Annually

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Account Executive

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
USA
8697 Employees
133K-190K Annually

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account