Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Cloud Networking & Datapath

About the role

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 200+ public data centers globally and thousands of private sites at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback. Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.

Role

We are looking for a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer (Datapath) to join our team in a hybrid capacity (minimum 3 days a week in our Santa Clara, CA office), reporting to the Senior Manager Software Development Engineering in the Engineering department. You will play a critical role in expanding the capabilities of our datapath technology to drive the next level of product impact. Your work will directly add essential features and functionality to our core systems, ensuring scalable, high-performance, and robust software design.

What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)

• Define software design specifications and implement bug-free code using test-driven methodology
• Identify opportunities to refactor existing code for maintainability and reusability while owning the resolution of complex customer issues
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams including security, UI, platform, analytics, and quality assurance
• Partner with Product Management to drive detailed product requirements
• Lead a group of junior engineers by providing technical guidance, mentoring, and assisting in development details

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)

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
• 7+ years of experience developing large-scale cloud networking and security applications, with expertise in software design and programming in C/C++, Go, or Python
• Deep knowledge of networking protocols and services such as DNS, HTTP, TCP/IP, and SSL/TLS, ideally with an understanding of firewall policy enforcement
• Proven experience working with AWS/Azure/GCP networking components, including transit gateway, IGW, NATGW, NACL, security groups, GWLB, ILB, and Route53
• Hands-on experience with AWS/Azure/GCP database services, PubSub mechanisms, and SDKs

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience leveraging AI/ML technologies to optimize network datapath efficiency, automate routing performance, or improve intelligent threat-detection features
• Familiarity or direct experience with developing security Firewall features
• Prior experience building solutions for Software as a Service platforms and leveraging cloud-native infrastructure services

#LI-Hybrid #LI-YC2

Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.

Base Pay Range

$180,000—$225,000 USD

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.