Role

We are looking for a Staff Software Development Engineer (Microservices) to join our ZIA Engineering team. This is a hybrid role based in San Jose, CA (3 days a week in office), reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering.

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. You adapt to what's needed, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a problem-solver. You seek out challenges because you 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, 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 never stop developing yourself, 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)

• 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
• Proficiency in both SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (Cassandra, MongoDB, or Cosmos DB) database design and scaling

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with Service Mesh technologies such as Istio or Linkerd
• Practical knowledge of chaos engineering and advanced performance testing tools
• Active contributions to open-source projects or technical community leadership

#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

$129,500-$185,000 USD

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 Future of Work strategy, hybrid working model, and benefits here.