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Salary: USD 180,000 - 225,000 / annual
Zscaler is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join the Zero Trust Branch datapath team. This hybrid role (3 days in office) is based in Santa Clara, CA and reports to the Architect, Engineering.
You will serve as a core technical expert contributing to the design, development, and enhancement of Zscaler's Zero Trust Branch platform. Your work will focus on building robust dataplane services and APIs that support millions of users globally, leveraging deep expertise in L2–L7 networking to advance cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define requirements, design architectures, and deliver resilient cloud-based software solutions and network integrations
- Developing and optimizing high-performance network applications and protocols using Go and Python
- Designing efficient data structures for network data processing and performing system-level programming within Linux environments
- Analyzing network performance to identify bottlenecks, drive system optimizations, and lead rigorous code reviews, testing, and debugging
- Leveraging AI/ML technologies and modern code-assistance tools to accelerate architecture design and system development
The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, operates with urgency in a high-growth environment, actively solves complex problems, collaborates with high trust, and leads with integrity. You will be expected to balance speed and quality while delivering high-impact results.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of experience designing and developing software within a distributed, enterprise-scale environment
- Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions
- Strong proficiency in Go programming 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, traffic management protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS), and performance testing methodologies
Preferred qualifications:
- Proficiency with modern AI code-assistance tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor)
- Advanced hands-on experience with L3 tunneling protocols, SD-WAN implementations, and cloud-based networking architecture, design, and deployment
- Proven track record of monitoring industry trends and proactively proposing architectural enhancements to elevate system reliability, scalability, and network efficiency
