Principal Software Engineer - Intelligent Data Platform
About The Position
Zscaler is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, architecture, development, and evolution of its multi-tenant, cloud-based Intelligent Data Platform. The role focuses on building scalable, secure, high-performance systems that meet changing business needs and maintaining exceptional reliability in a full DevOps model. This is a hybrid position based in Santa Clara, California, with a minimum of three days per week in the office. The position reports to the Director, Software Development Engineering in the Cloud Data Platform team. The engineer will work with cross-functional teams, product management, and other stakeholders to connect long-term technical strategy with business goals and turn requirements into execution plans. The role also involves improving engineering processes and practices, exploring cloud technologies across providers, and mentoring junior engineers. Zscaler describes its culture as collaborative, outcome-focused, fast-moving, and committed to inclusive teamwork.
Requirements
- 10+ years of software engineering experience, specializing in building and managing large-scale cloud-based data platforms.
- Expertise in distributed systems and data architecture.
- Demonstrated experience driving cross-team technical programs to delivery, including design reviews, resolving cross-functional blockers, and producing architectural guidance.
- Proficiency in Java, Go, Python, or similar programming languages.
- Deep expertise in REST APIs, RDBMS, document stores, Kubernetes, and Docker.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes.
- Experience working with product management and cross-team stakeholders to translate requirements into execution plans.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degrees or industry certifications.
- Ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency.
- Experience with monitoring, tracing, and observability tools or frameworks such as Grafana and Prometheus.
- Proficiency in test frameworks and writing unit tests.
- Demonstrated success mentoring and developing engineering talent.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, architecture, and development of a multi-tenant, cloud-based data platform.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement scalable, secure, high-performance solutions.
- Partner with product management and stakeholders to align technical strategies with business goals, contribute to the product roadmap, and translate requirements into execution plans.
- Evaluate, establish, and optimize engineering processes, agile methodologies, and best practices to improve efficiency, delivery speed, and code quality.
- Drive engineering and operational excellence to support 24/7 system availability, reliability, fault tolerance, automation, and rapid resolution of customer issues in a full DevOps model.
- Explore emerging and cross-provider cloud technologies.
- Mentor junior engineers and promote inclusive collaboration and technical excellence.
- Drive cross-team technical programs through delivery, including owning design reviews, resolving blockers, and providing architectural guidance.
Benefits
- Various health plans
- Vacation and sick time off plans
- Parental leave options
- Retirement options
- Education reimbursement
- In-office perks
- Comprehensive and inclusive benefits for employees and their families
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
