Software Development Engineering Manager - Cloud Security & Threat Intelligence

Zscaler Softech; Mohali; On-site; INR 4,200,000 - 6,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Zscaler in Mohali, India seeks a Senior Manager to lead the Software Development Engineering team focused on Cloud Security, SASE, data analysis, threat intelligence, and LLM-enabled content categorization. You will guide researchers and engineers to translate deep technical research into practical policy criteria for global customers.

You will shape the strategy for cloud service identification, website categorization, and AI tool integration, working with cross-functional teams to deliver

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in software development/QA with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS, Information Security, Data Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Proven Leadership: History of mentoring, developing, and inspiring high-performing research, data science, or engineering teams
• Technical Breadth: Deep understanding of cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP), cloud application development lifecycles, and modern web technologies (HTTP/S, APIs)
• Security Fundamentals: Solid grasp of enterprise security concepts, including Zero Trust and SASE
• Project & Research Management: Demonstrated experience managing complex technical projects and setting clear research priorities
• AI Curiosity: Active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of researchers and analysts
• Direct the analysis and modeling of cloud applications to identify attributes for policy criteria
• Oversee website analysis for accurate URL filtering and content inspection
• Manage evaluation of Large Language Models for automated content categorization
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Sales to present research findings to technical and executive audiences

Skills

Team leadership

Cloud architectures

Security fundamentals

AI/ML curiosity

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/IS/DS

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

APIs

Job description

Manager, Software Development Engineering (Cloud Security / SASE / Data Analysis / Threat Intelligence / LLM)

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise, we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our 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 say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate —we’re 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 you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Role

We are seeking an experienced, visionary, and highly motivated Manager, Software Development Engineer to spearhead our specialized Cloud Application Research and Website Analysis team. This critical role is central to enhancing our platform's capabilities by transforming deep technical research into actionable policy criteria for our global customer base. In this role, you will lead a team of expert researchers and analysts, driving the strategic direction for cloud service identification and website categorization within our enterprise security ecosystem.

What You’ll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead and mentor a high-performing team of researchers and analysts, setting strategic direction and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning
• Cloud Application Modeling: Direct the meticulous analysis and technical modeling of new and evolving cloud applications (SaaS, IaaS, custom services) to identify unique behavioral attributes that can be used as precise policy criteria
• Website Analysis & Content Inspection: Oversee the continuous analysis of the global website landscape, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and relevance of URL filtering and content inspection services
• AI & LLM Integration: Manage the evaluation of internally developed and integrated Large Language Models (LLMs), focusing on performance, accuracy, and operational efficiency for automated content categorization
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with Product Management, Engineering, and Sales teams to articulate complex technical research findings to both technical and executive audiences

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• Driven by Innovation: You have a deep curiosity for how things work and are energized by solving complex technical challenges. You believe in the power of technology to accelerate transformation and are always looking for a better, more secure, and scalable way
• A Problem-Solver: You seek out challenges because you are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact
• Data-Driven: You use data and analytics to find the truth, measure what matters, and guide informed decisions. You value evidence over assumptions, replacing "I think" with "I know" to drive better outcomes
• A High-Trust Collaborator: You are ambitious for the team and embrace a challenge culture by exchanging candid feedback with clarity and respect to build deep trust
• A Scale Thinker: You connect your day-to-day work to the larger company mission and think globally. You build solutions, processes, and teams that support a high-growth, global organization

What We’re Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)

• 7+ years of experience in software development/QA with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS, Information Security, Data Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Proven Leadership: History of mentoring, developing, and inspiring high-performing research, data science, or engineering teams
• Technical Breadth: Deep understanding of cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP), cloud application development lifecycles, and modern web technologies (HTTP/S, APIs)
• Security Fundamentals: Solid grasp of enterprise security concepts, including Zero Trust and SASE
• Project & Research Management: Demonstrated experience managing complex technical projects and setting clear research priorities
• AI Curiosity: Active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Security Vendor Experience: Background successfully leading technical teams within a cybersecurity vendor or specialized security research organization
• Advanced Analytics & ML: Practical experience applying data analysis techniques and statistical modeling to content classification, threat intelligence, or behavioral analysis
• Strategic Foresight: Vision for anticipating future trends in cloud adoption and cyber threats, with the ability to translate those insights into a proactive research roadmap

#LI-SK3 #LI-HYBRID

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 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.

Experience Level Senior Level