Principal System and Solution Test Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Vacation & sick time

Parental leave

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Principal System and Solution Test Engineer. You will drive quality strategy for Zero Trust Networking Services, validating complex network security architectures and end-to-end interactions between branch devices and global cloud services.

Your role focuses on creating robust automation, testing cloud-delivered security, and building real-world production scenarios to ensure smooth customer deployments. The position is hybrid in Santa Clara, CA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12+ years in Network Security, SD-WAN, or Networking Infrastructure testing with Python for tool development.
• Experience in building and maintaining test automation frameworks for complex cloud test environments.
• Deep understanding of L2-L7 networking, TCP/IP, and performance testing methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain cloud-based software solutions.
• Leverage deep expertise in L2-L7 technology to test cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies.
• Build repeatable, robust system-level automation suites to validate L2-L7 technologies.
• Provide critical insights to enhance debugging capabilities and product usability.
• Design and execute real-world production-like scenarios to expose gaps and ensure stability for deployments.

Skills

Python for tools

Network security testing

SD-WAN

Test automation frameworks

Terraform / CloudFormation

L2-L7 networking

Linux networking

Public cloud (AWS/GCP)

Traffic generation tools

AI/ML familiarity

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Traffic generators

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 160+ public exchanges globally and thousands of private exchanges 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 System and Solution Test Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in Santa Clara,CA, reporting to the Architect, Software Development Engineering in the Zero Trust Branch department. You will drive the quality strategy for our Zero Trust Networking Services, validating complex network security architectures and end-to-end interactions between branch networking devices and global SASE cloud services through customer-centric scenarios.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain cloud-based software solutions
• Leverage your deep expertise in L2-L7 technology to test cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies
• Build repeatable, robust system-level automation suites to validate L2-L7 technologies
• Provide critical insights and recommendations to the development team to enhance RASS, debugging capabilities, and overall product usability
• Design and execute scenarios mimicking real-world production environments to proactively expose critical gaps, ensuring the stability required for seamless customer deployments

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, viewing ambiguity as a canvas for innovation and high-impact problem solving.
• You operate with a deep sense of ownership and personal integrity, driven by a genuine passion for the engineering mission.
• You are energized by complex technical puzzles, proactively seeking out challenging scenarios to deliver robust, scalable outcomes.
• You build strong empathy for the end-user, placing customer needs at the center of your architecture and design validation strategy.
• You maintain a high sense of urgency and relentless focus on execution, balancing speed and quality to win for the team and our customers.

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
• 12+ years of overall experience in Network Security, SD-WAN, or Networking Infrastructure testing with strong proficiency in Python for tool development
• Proven expertise in building and maintaining Test Automation Frameworks from the ground up, utilizing Terraform or CloudFormation for complex cloud test environments
• Deep understanding of L2-L7 networking, TCP/IP stack internals, and performance testing methodologies using industry-standard traffic generators
• Strong exposure to SD-WAN technologies, VPNs, and Cloud Security architectures combined with advanced knowledge of Linux networking concepts
• Solid understanding of modern tunneling methods like IPSEC or GRE and hands‑on experience with Public Cloud networking in AWS or GCP

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Demonstrated ability to translate a holistic view of the product into complex test scenarios that accurately simulate real-world deployment environments
• Experience with industry-standard traffic generation tools and methodologies

#LI-Hybrid #LI-YC2

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

Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees.

• 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.