Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer - C ,… at Zscaler · Bengaluru

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.

Role

We are looking for a Senior Staff Software Development Engineer (C and Unix) to join our team. This is a Hybrid role based in Bangalore, India, reporting to the Senior Manager, Software Development Engineering in the ZIA Cloud department. You will be responsible for ensuring ZIA software runs seamlessly in Public Cloud Infrastructure. You will leverage your deep expertise in network security and public cloud environments to drive hands-on development and provide technical leadership.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Drive the modernization of our core platforms from design to deployment, evaluating our current state and getting directly into the code to transform complex, synchronized systems into adaptable, loosely coupled architectures
• Reimagine and build our critical data pathways by designing, developing, and shepherding intelligent, multi-variable routing solutions that ensure high availability for our global clients
• Define and execute the technical roadmap for our core defense systems, leading forward-looking initiatives by building and implementing the foundational frameworks for our next-generation cloud security posture
• Act as a deeply technical partner to cross-functional teams, diving into complex challenges alongside engineers and building robust solutions that optimize how we deploy within modern, scalable environments
• Set the technical standard for the organization, fostering a culture of engineering excellence and mentoring the team through prototyping, rigorous code reviews, and leading by technical example

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
• You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and are obsessed with your own development, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving
• Hands-on expertise in C programming
• Extensive experience architecting, developing, and troubleshooting within Unix environments
• Strong experience in core networking or cloud security infrastructure
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field or equivalent experience

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proficiency with Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or GCP Deployment Manager for provisioning and managing cloud infrastructure
• Mastery of TCP/IP, DNS, Http(s), VPN technologies (IPSec, SSL VPN), NAT, load balancing, and BSD/Linux operating systems including virtualization and DPDK or similar kernel bypass techniques
• Proven experience in designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput, low-latency network security products, including FW/SWG solutions that integrate with or extend native cloud services

#LI-AN4 #LI-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 Illegallink.

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.