Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer

Zscaler•Santa Clara, CA

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

Zscaler is seeking a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer to join its Zero Trust Branch datapath team. This hybrid role is based in Santa Clara, California, with three days in the office, and reports to the Architect, Engineering. As a core technical expert, the engineer will help build and enhance the Zero Trust Branch platform by designing and developing robust dataplane services and APIs that support users globally. The position focuses on delivering resilient cloud-based software solutions and network integrations, advancing cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies, and building high-performance network applications and protocols. The engineer will apply expertise in Go, Python, Linux system-level programming, and L2–L7 networking to develop and optimize network data processing, analyze performance, and improve system reliability and efficiency.

Requirements

Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within the functional domain.
At least 10 years of experience designing and developing software in a distributed, enterprise-scale environment.
Strong proficiency in Go, specifically applied to network data handling and processing.
Deep expertise in Linux environments, including system-level programming, networking concepts, scripting, and troubleshooting.
Strong exposure to SD-WAN technologies, VPNs, cloud security architectures, and cloud platforms such as AWS.
In-depth understanding of L2–L7 networking, TCP/IP stack internals, HTTP/HTTPS and SSL/TLS traffic management protocols, and performance testing methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with modern AI code-assistance tools such as GitHub Copilot or Cursor for architecture design, software refactoring, and system development.
Advanced hands-on experience with L3 tunneling protocols, SD-WAN implementations, and cloud-based networking architecture, design, and deployment.
Track record of monitoring industry trends and proactively proposing architectural enhancements to improve system reliability, scalability, and network efficiency.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, design architectures, and deliver resilient cloud-based software solutions and network integrations.
Apply L2–L7 networking expertise to develop and advance cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies.
Develop, maintain, and optimize high-performance network applications and protocols using Go and Python.
Design efficient data structures for network data processing and perform system-level programming in Linux environments.
Analyze network performance to identify bottlenecks and drive system optimizations.
Lead code reviews, testing, and debugging.