Sr Staff Software Engineer (Layer 7 Security & Proxy)

Zscaler; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler is seeking a Sr Staff Software Development Engineer (Layer 7 Security & Proxy) in a hybrid Santa Clara, CA role to lead ZIA proxy architecture, drive architectural decisions, and modernize the codebase. You will mentor teams and shape secure, high-performance networking solutions.

You will collaborate with product and engineering to design end-to-end ZIA functionality, optimize QUIC/HTTP/3, HTTP/2, and TLS/SSL workflows, ensuring scalable, secure delivery across global data centers.

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 experience of total experience and proven experience in designing and implementing networking security software and public clouds infrastructureDeep understanding of Proxies, HTTP/2, QUIC, TCP/IP, TLS/DTLS and SSL proxies
• Proficient in C language
• Demonstrated success in designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput, low-latency network security products
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end QUIC/HTTP/3 and HTTP/2 proxy and TLS/SSL architecture in ZIA
• Define and evolve ZIA proxy architecture
• Partner with Product Management and engineering on solution design, trade-offs, and end-to-end delivery of core ZIA functionality
• Establish reference architectures and design patterns for ZIA components and integrations
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and architectural governance across virtual and product teams

Skills

AI/ML foundations

C language

High-throughput networking

Proxy architectures

TLS/SSL inspection

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT

Tools

BSD/Linux

DPDK

Virtualization

Job description

About Zscaler

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 an Sr Staff Software Development Engineer (Layer 7 Security & Proxy) to join our team. This is a hybrid role (minimum 3 days a week in Santa Clara, CA office), reporting to the Director, Software Development Engineering in the Zero Trust Exchange department. This architect role is essential to provide technical leadership for the ZIA proxy architecture, with a strong focus on advanced Layer 7 protocols and SSL inspection. You will help improve the quality of code shipped to production by driving sound architectural decisions, implementing innovative solutions, and raising the overall engineering bar for the team. Additionally, you will play a key role in modernizing the ZIA code base by addressing technical debt, fixing existing issues, and rewriting components where necessary. Ultimately, this role is critical for supporting and accelerating the delivery of key proxy roadmap features on a strong and scalable foundation.

What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)

• Support end-to-end QUIC/HTTP/3 and HTTP/2 proxy and TLS/SSL architecture in ZIA
• Define and evolve ZIA proxy architecture
• Partner with Product Management and engineering on solution design, trade-offs, and end-to-end delivery of core ZIA functionality
• Establish reference architectures and design patterns for ZIA components and integrations
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and architectural governance across virtual and product teams

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity, comfortably building the path as you walk it and viewing dynamic environments as the raw material to create something meaningful.
• You are customer-obsessed, building deep empathy for both internal and external users while anchoring your decisions in solving real-world problems.
• You are driven by innovation, bringing deep curiosity to complex technical challenges and constantly seeking better, more secure, and scalable solutions.
• You think at scale, connecting your daily work to the larger mission to build solutions that support a high-growth, global organization.
• You lead with integrity by holding yourself and others to high standards of accountability and building trust through consistent, transparent action.

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 experience of total experience and proven experience in designing and implementing networking security software and public clouds infrastructureDeep understanding of Proxies, HTTP/2, QUIC, TCP/IP, TLS/DTLS and SSL proxies
• Proficient in C language
• Demonstrated success in designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput, low-latency network security products
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Mastery of TCP/IP, DNS, Http(s), VPN technologies (IPSec, SSL VPN), NAT, and load balancing
• Knowledge of BSD/Linux operating systems, virtualization technologies, and DPDK or similar kernel bypass techniques

Salary

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

• $180,000—$225,000 USD

Benefits

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Accommodations

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.