Principal Software Engineer - Intelligent Data Platform

Zscaler; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Vacation and sick time

Parental leave options

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler, a leader in cloud security, seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead the Intelligent Data Platform. This hybrid role in Santa Clara, CA reports to the Cloud Data Platform team and centers on building scalable, multi-tenant data platforms with strong DevOps and AI/ML components.

You will guide architecture, collaborate with product teams, drive performance and reliability, and mentor engineers to deliver cutting-edge cloud data solutions.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies with experience leveraging AI-driven solutions.
• 10+ years of software engineering in large-scale cloud data platforms; distributed systems and data architecture.
• Experience driving cross-team programs; owning design reviews and providing architectural guidance.
• Proficiency in Java or alternatives (Go, Python) with deep knowledge of Rest API, RDBMS, Document Stores, Kubernetes, and Docker.
• Experience working with product management and translating requirements into execution plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, architecture, and development of a multi-tenant cloud data platform with scalable, secure, high-performance systems.
• Collaborate with product management and stakeholders to align technical strategy with business goals and contribute to roadmaps.
• Evaluate and optimize engineering processes and DevOps practices to improve delivery speed and code quality.
• Ensure high availability and reliability in a full DevOps model with automation and rapid issue resolution.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote inclusive collaboration and technical excellence.

Skills

AI/ML fundamentals

Distributed systems

Cloud data platforms

Java

Go

Python

Kubernetes

Docker

RDBMS

API design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Grafana

Prometheus

Job description

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 Principal Software Engineer - Intelligent Data Platform to join our team. This is a hybrid role (in office, minimum 3 days per week in Santa Clara, CA), reporting to the Director, Software Development Engineering in the Cloud Data Platform team. We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer, where your deep understanding of cloud-based data platforms and proven track record in building and scaling high-performance systems will be pivotal. In this role, you will lead the development of our core data platform, shaping its design, implementation, and evolution to meet our dynamic business needs.

What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)

• Lead the design, architecture, and development of our multi-tenant, cloud-based data platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define and implement scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions
• Partner closely with product management and stakeholders to align long-term technical strategies with business goals, actively contributing to the product roadmap and translation of requirements into execution plans
• Evaluate, establish, and optimize engineering processes, agile methodologies, and best practices to enhance development efficiency, delivery speed, and code quality
• Drive engineering and operational excellence to ensure 4-9s system availability 24/7 in a full DevOps model, implementing robust solutions for system reliability, fault tolerance, automation, and rapid resolution of customer issues
• Explore emerging and cross-provider cloud technologies to keep the platform versatile and leading-edge, while mentoring junior engineers to champion inclusive collaboration and technical excellence

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action, operating with integrity, and navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands‑on execution.
• You are a problem‑solver. You seek out complex challenges and are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
• You are a high‑trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, giving and receiving ongoing candor with clarity and respect to build strong trust.
• You operate with urgency. You deliver high‑impact results quickly in a high‑growth environment, balancing speed and quality to win for our customers.
• You are resilient and adaptable. You view change as an opportunity, maintaining composure and focus in high‑pressure situations to guide your team through complexity.

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
• 10+ years of software engineering experience, specializing in building and managing large scale cloud‑based data platforms with expertise in distributed systems and data architecture
• Demonstrated experience driving cross‑team technical programs to delivery, including owning design reviews, resolving cross‑functional blockers, and producing clear architectural guidance
• Proficiency in Java or alternatives such as Java, Go, Python, etc. with deep expertise in Rest API, RDBMS, Document Stores, Kubernetes, and Docker
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; advanced degrees and industry certifications are advantageous
• Experience working with product management and cross‑team stakeholders to translate requirements into execution plans

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Experience with monitoring, tracing, and observability tooling and frameworks such as Grafana and Prometheus
• Proficiency in test frameworks and writing test units
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing engineering talent

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

$185,500—$265,000 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.

Benefits

• 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.

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.