Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer

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 to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in Bangalore, reporting to the Senior Manager in the Engineering department. You’ll collaborate with a diverse team of engineers to design, build, and deliver an innovative zero-trust cybersecurity product as part of the world’s largest cloud security platform. You will bring your vision and passion to our team of experts who are enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) • Collaborate with a diverse team of engineers to design, build, and deliver an innovative zero-trust cybersecurity product • Write production-quality code in C and C++ for Linux-based systems • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve issues in complex distributed systems Who You Are (Success Profile) • You thrive in ambiguity, comfortably building the path forward in a dynamic environment and viewing complex challenges as raw material to construct meaningful solutions. • You act like an owner with a fierce passion for the mission, a strong bias for action, and the dynamic range to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. • You are a natural problem-solver who runs toward challenges, remaining laser-focused on finding innovative solutions to the hardest problems to deliver maximum impact. • You are a high-trust collaborator who is ambitious for the team's success, actively embracing a culture of candor, clarity, and mutual respect to build deep alignment. • You are a lifelong learner with a true growth mindset, consistently seeking feedback to develop yourself, elevate your teammates, and execute your work with deep 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 • 8+ years of software development experience with fluency in C and C++ • Demonstrated expertise in Linux/Unix kernel development • Strong understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP RFCs, and the Linux kernel networking stack • Experience in containerization technologies such as Kubernetes and Linux namespaces • Hands-on experience with unit testing and mocking frameworks like Google Test or JUnit What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications) • Experience leveraging AI/ML models to automate identity threat detection, optimize access management policies, or enhance cloud security operationsn • Knowledge of Windows Installer packaging and tools such as WiX and Experience writing Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) • Knowledg