Staff Software Development Engineer (Microservices)

Zscaler; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler is seeking a Staff Software Development Engineer (Microservices) to join our ZIA Engineering team in a hybrid role based in San Jose, CA (3 days in office). You will work on the control plane for the Zscaler Internet Access product, helping evolve cloud security at massive scale.

You will design and implement distributed, API-first microservices with a focus on reliability and performance. You will collaborate with product, DevOps, and system architects to translate complex requirements

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging AI-driven solutions.
• 5+ years of software development with production-grade microservices.
• Strong proficiency in Java (Spring Boot), Go, or Rust.
• Expertise in distributed data patterns (CQRS, Event Sourcing) and event-driven communication.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes in cloud environments, plus SQL/NoSQL DB design.

Responsibilities

• Execute the technical roadmap to modernize enterprise platforms using API-first design and microservices architecture
• Design, develop, and deploy highly resilient, low-latency, event-driven solutions while maintaining ownership from API tiers to back-end services
• Role model a culture of quality by adhering to coding standards, performing code reviews, and championing TDD/BDD practices
• Partner with Product, DevOps, and System Architects to translate complex business needs into scalable, high-performance technical solutions
• Utilize containerization (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes) to manage service lifecycles within hybrid or public cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP) and use AI-powered tools for advanced problem solving and engineering efficiency

Skills

AI/ML concepts

Software development

Java/Spring Boot

Go

Rust

Distributed data patterns

Event-driven architecture

Code quality / TDD/BDD

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Kafka

RabbitMQ

SQS

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 Staff Software Development Engineer (Microservices) to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in San Jose, CA (3 days a week in office) role, reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering in the ZIA Engineering department. You will work on the control plane for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) product, which has redefined how security services are delivered in the cloud. Because our platform has redefined cloud security, our underlying technology must continuously evolve to meet massive scale. We are seeking engineers experienced in designing and navigating complex distributed architectures to help us innovate and elevate our foundational tech stack.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Execute the technical roadmap to modernize enterprise platforms using API-first design and microservices architecture

• Design, develop, and deploy highly resilient, low-latency, event-driven solutions while maintaining ownership from API tiers to back-end services

• Role model a culture of quality by adhering to coding standards, performing code reviews, and championing TDD/BDD practices

• Partner with Product, DevOps, and System Architects to translate complex business needs into scalable, high-performance technical solutions

• Utilize containerization (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes) to manage service lifecycles within hybrid or public cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP) and use AI-powered tools for advanced problem solving and engineering efficiency

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.

• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.

• You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.

• You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.

• You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and are obsessed with your own development, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with 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

• 5+ years of software development with experience in production-grade microservices

• Strong proficiency in Java (Spring Boot), Go, or Rust

• Expertise in distributed data patterns (CQRS, Event Sourcing) and event-driven communication (Kafka, RabbitMQ, or SQS)

• Extensive hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes within AWS, Azure, or GCP environments, alongside SQL and NoSQL database design and scaling

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience implementing AI-driven automated testing or using generative AI tools to optimize microservice code performance and code generation workflows

• Experience with Service Mesh technologies such as Istio or Linkerd

• Practical knowledge of chaos engineering and advanced performance testing tools

#LI-Hybrid #LI-KM9

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

$133,000—$190,000 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.

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 (https://www.zscaler.com/candidate-resource-hub) .

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) 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.