Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer

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 Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our team. This is a Hybrid (3 days a week in San Jose, CA) role, reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering in the IAM department. Identity has become the new security perimeter, and in this role, you will develop workflows and application integrations in collaboration with the broader IAM team, Product Management, and Business teams. You will be responsible for the design and development of enterprise-grade Identity Management Products for Zscaler, helping organizations worldwide harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy.

What you'll do (Role Expectations)

• Design and develop enterprise-grade Identity Management Products for Zscaler
• Participate in the design and implementation of core product functionality and key technical initiatives
• Mentor junior engineers with software development best practices
• Help maintain our positive culture as a collaborative and supportive teammate
• Collaborate across teams to deliver projects from inception to production

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity. You are comfortable building the path as you walk it, viewing dynamic environments as opportunities to construct meaningful solutions.
• You act like an owner. You operate with a strong sense of ownership, bringing passion for the mission, high integrity, and the capability to navigate between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a proactive problem-solver. You run toward challenges and remain laser-focused on finding solutions that deliver high-impact outcomes.
• You build high-trust collaboration. You prioritize team success, welcome feedback, and practice clear, respectful candor to establish strong partnerships.
• You maintain a continuous growth mindset. You actively seek feedback and development opportunities to grow as a partner, teammate, and purpose-driven leader.

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
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in application architecture and development
• Expert-level technical knowledge of Enterprise Java, OOP, OOA, systems architecture, RESTful APIs, and related frameworks such as Hibernate and Spring
• Strong knowledge of Identity and Access Management protocols, specifically SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect
• Experience developing enterprise-grade Security or Networking products

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and container infrastructure
• Experience with Java reactive programming

• #LI-CM3
• #LI-Hybrid

Pay and benefits

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 $157,500 - $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!

By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.

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.