About Zscaler

Serving thousands of enterprise customers around the world including 40% 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 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 develop solutions that are transforming the internet security business, and millions of users rely daily on our service for data protection and comprehensive security. We also provide real-time analytics to our customers for unmatched visibility and maintain a state-of-the-art NOC. The development team works on the complete L1-L7 n/w stack, Zscaler OS, Device Drivers, web filtering, policy enforcement, next-gen firewall, sandboxing, DLP, Digital Experience and mobile user solutions. Being responsive to our customers and delivering industry-leading, mission-critical solutions require precise engineering and a philosophy of continuous improvement. The Zscaler Zero Trust SD-WAN Branch Connector provides Zero Trust Security for users and application traffic originating from a remote branch to internet, cloud or another remote branch or data center. The Branch Connector eliminates the network attack surface by establishing direct branch-to-internet and branch-to-private app connections using a full proxy architecture. It also simplifies branch communications by eliminating complex routing, virtual private networks (VPNs), and firewalls while allowing for flexible forwarding and simple policy management by using the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) policy framework.

We're looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our Core ZIA team. In this role you will work on the requirements, design and code components of a very large scale distributed system with a sense for performance and scalability, troubleshoot issues with hawkish skills, work with Operations and Support to help manage a healthy cloud and happy customers and at the end of the day – display accountability in areas assigned to you. Reporting to the Sr. Director, ZTNA and Inline applications, you'll be responsible for:

Working with a team of software engineers, architects, and product managers to create performance and scalable solutions that meet the demands of our customers.
Leading the development of the data path software, focusing on low latency data forwarding and packet processing.
Participating in all phases of the product development cycle, from definition, design, through implementation and testing. Develop functional specifications, assess task requirements and scheduling, and participate in the development, debugging and support.
Conducting code reviews to maintain code quality and maintain documentation for the code, including design specifications and user guide.

What We're Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

BS degree in CS/CE or equivalent is required with 12+ years software development experience building large-scale commercial networking and security applications.
Hands-on programming in C, debugging memory corruption, Multithreading, SMP and in depth knowledge in Data-Structures and Algorithms along with good Unix/Linux Kernel.
Hands on Experience troubleshooting networking/system issues using tools like perf, gdb, Wireshark, tcpdump, curl, wget, etc.
Software design concepts - HA, failover redundancy, load balancing, optimizing for scale and performance and experience with network control-plane protocols like DHCP, VRRP, CARP, OSPF, BGP

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

Experience in user space data plane such as OVS-DPDK.
Experience with FreeBSD-based networking solutions and/or ESXi Hypervisor/KVM infra & file system knowledge.
Experience with software-defined networking solutions like SDN, SD-WAN, etc.

#LI-JM1

#LI-Hybrid

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

$175,000—$250,000 USD

At Zscaler, we believe that diversity drives innovation, productivity, and success. We are looking for individuals from all backgrounds and identities to join our team and contribute to our mission to make doing business seamless and secure. We are guided by these principles as we create a representative and impactful team, and a culture where everyone belongs. For more information on our commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, visit the Corporate Responsibility page of our website.

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!

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 proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration 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 characteristics 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. For additional information about the federal requirements, click here.

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.

Apply for this Job

* Required

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Resume/CV *

Dropbox Google Drive

(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)

Cover Letter

Dropbox Google Drive

(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)

Website

LinkedIn Profile

How did you learn about this job? *

If you selected Other please tell us how you learned about this job.

Do you have the legal right to work in the country where you are applying to work? *

Do you require a work permit, visa or additional right to work support for the country where you are applying to work? *

If yes, please advise what support is needed:

In what city and state is your primary residence? (e.g. San Jose, CA) *

Do you currently work for, or have you previously worked for Zscaler? *

Current Company *

Current Title *

Zscaler Confidential Information *

In consideration of Zscaler, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries (together referred to as “Zscaler”) granting the opportunity to apply for a position with Zscaler, I agree (a) to use Confidential Information for the sole purpose of evaluating a position with Zscaler, (b) that I will not disclose Confidential Information to anyone outside of Zscaler, (c) that all Confidential Information disclosed by Zscaler (and any derivative works thereof) remains the property of Zscaler, and no license or other rights to Confidential Information is granted or implied, (d) not to use the systems of my current employer to access any Confidential Information or download any Confidential Information onto the systems of my current employer, (e) immediately upon request, to return or destroy all the embodiments and copies of any Confidential Information, and (f) that “Confidential Information” means any nonpublic information disclosed to me by Zscaler, which Zscaler labels or otherwise identifies as confidential or a reasonable person would understand to be confidential.

I Agree

Zscaler Privacy Policy *

By proceeding with your application or engaging in the recruitment process with you acknowledge that we will collect, use, and store your personal information in accordance with the data privacy notice linked below. Should you have any concerns or questions about how your personal data is handled, please don't hesitate to reach out to privacy@zscaler.com.

I Agree

Government Employment *

To ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding the hiring of government employees, could you please confirm if you are currently, or have ever been, a government employee or official?

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zscaler’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Gender *

Are you Hispanic/Latino? *

Please identify your race *

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Veteran Status *

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status *

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Enter the verification code sent to to confirm you are not a robot, then submit your application.

Security Code *

This application was flagged as potential bot traffic. To resubmit your application, turn off any VPNs, clear the browser's cache and cookies, or try another browser. If you still can't submit it, contact our support team through the help center.

Principal Software Engineer - Data Path

Apply for this Job

Voluntary Self-Identification

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability