Principal Software Engineer C, Https, SSL

About Zscaler

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so our customers can be more agile efficient resilient and secure. Our cloud native Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of 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 believe in transparency and value constructive honest debatewere 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 youre enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If youre driven by purpose thrive on solving complex challenges and want to make a positive difference on a global scale we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Our Engineering team built the worlds 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 todays 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.

Were looking for an experienced Principal Software Development Engineer to join our ZIA will drive technical strategy set engineering standards mentor other engineers and collaborate with Operations and Support to ensure a healthy cloud and exceptional customer outcomes. Youll demonstrate ownership accountability and a bias for precision in execution. This is a hybrid role going into the San Jose CA office 3 days a week. Reporting to the Sr Architect Senior Development youll be responsible for:

• Designing implementing and optimizing highperformance network applications and protocols using C and Python
• Architecting and scaling distributed systems across multiple data centers with stringent performance resiliency and multi-tenant requirements
• Working within Linux environments to perform system programming scripting and troubleshooting
• Contributing to and guiding key domains including postquantum cryptography Network Detection & Response (NDR) Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX) and Zscaler OS
• Collaborating with teams to define requirements design architectures and ensure reliable software through testing and debugging

What Were Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• 10 years of handson C programming experience on Unix/FreeBSD/Linux in distributed enterprisescale environments
• Proven expertise in high availability design failover redundancy load balancing and performance optimization with strong familiarity in SLOs observability and capacity planning for 247 services
• Deep understanding of networking protocols and services: DNS HTTP/2 QUIC TCP/IP and SSL/TLS
• Experience with security technologies (firewall IPS authentication) and networking technologies (VPN/IPSec dataplane traffic forwarding).
• Proficiency in troubleshooting network issues using tools such as Wireshark tcpdump curl and wget

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with Python Go or Rust for systems and network programming
• Track record of staying current with industry trends and proposing improvements to reliability scalability and network efficiency
• Proficiency with AI codeassistance tools (e.g. Windsurf Cursor GCA Claude) to accelerate development refactoring unit testing and troubleshooting

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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:

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.