Principal Software Engineer

About Zscaler

Serving thousands of enterprise customers around the world including 45% of Fortune 500 companies, Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) was founded in 2007 with a mission to make the cloud a safe place to do business and a more enjoyable experience for enterprise users. As the operator of the world’s largest security cloud, Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so enterprises can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The pioneering, AI-powered Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform, which is found in our SASE and SSE offerings, protects thousands of enterprise customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Named a Best Workplace in Technology by Fortune and others, Zscaler fosters an inclusive and supportive culture that is home to some of the brightest minds in the industry. If you thrive in an environment that is fast-paced and collaborative, and you are passionate about building and innovating for the greater good, come make your next move with Zscaler.

Our Engineering team built the world’s largest cloud security platform from the ground up, and we keep building. With more than 100 patents and big plans for enhancing services and increasing our global footprint, the team has made us and our multitenant architecture today's cloud security leader, with more than 15 million users in 185 countries. Bring your vision and passion to our team of cloud architects, software engineers, security experts, and more who are enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy.

We're looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer/Architect to join our Cellular Innovation team. As part of our innovative team, you will play a critical role in the development and enhancement of our cutting-edge cloud security solutions for the Cellular ecosystem. Reporting to the Director of Software Engineering. This is a hybrid role, reporting into the San Jose, CA office 3 days a week. You will:

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable cloud-based enterprise applications in collaboration with cross-functional engineers


• Utilize strong proficiency in object oriented principles to develop solutions using one or more languages (Java, Python, Go, or C++) for the Cellular and 5G ecosystem


• Define specifications and identify platform infrastructure for high-speed traffic processing at the edge


• Apply experience in big data analytics, streaming platforms, or dashboard visualization to support real-time analytics requirements

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• 10+ years of hands-on application development experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field


• Strong proficiency in one or more of Java, Python, Go, or C++ with expertise with microservices and defining distributed architectures to address challenges such as configuration distribution, cache invalidation, and system-wide consistency


• Hands-on experience with real-time analytics using pub/sub platforms (e.g., Kafka, Pub/Sub, Pulsar), distributed datastores (Elasticsearch), and building optimized big data pipelines with Spark or Beam


• Solid understanding of cloud technologies, including virtualization, containerization, and microservices, as well as security principles and protocols such as SSL/TLS, IPsec, and OAuth

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in the cybersecurity industry or with cloud security solutions and a background in designing and implementing enterprise-grade security or networking products.


• Knowledge of cellular architecture and understanding of TCP/IP, event-based programming, and fault tolerance.


• Experience working with Kubernetes and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP

#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

$182,000 - $260,000 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 Future of Work strategy, 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.