Staff Software Development Engineer (Backend - Java/API)

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 seeking an experienced and visionary Staff Software Development Engineer to join our core API team. Reporting to the Manager, Software Development Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in driving high-performance API design, building robust microservices, and shaping our long-term system architecture.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between complex back-end architectures and front-end interface requirements, delivering scalable, secure, and reliable systems that power our core platform.

What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• High-Impact API Development: Design and develop high-quality, performant, scalable, reusable, extensible, secure, and reliable APIs
• Microservices & Integration: Write microservices, extend in-house APIs, and develop client-side code that interacts seamlessly with internal and external APIs (RESTful services and SDKs)
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with front-end engineering teams to understand user requirements and build robust endpoints that power intuitive, high-performing interfaces
• DevOps Culture & Practice: Champion a DevOps mindset by actively working on continuous integration, infrastructure provisioning, automated deployment, testing, and version control
• Architectural Leadership: Drive strategic technical contributions, including system design, architectural governance, and guiding the long-term technical roadmap
  
  

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• Driven by Innovation: You have a deep curiosity for how things work and are energized by solving complex technical challenges. You believe in technology's power to accelerate transformation and continuously seek modern, scalable ways to build systems
• Think at Scale: You connect your day-to-day work to the broader business mission, designing solutions, processes, and architectures that are built to last and support high-growth global platforms
• A Problem-Solver: You seek out challenges and derive energy from finding solutions, knowing that solving hard technical problems yields the greatest impact
• A High-Trust Collaborator: You thrive in a culture of candid feedback, exchanging ideas with clarity and respect to build deep trust across cross-functional engineering teams
• Data-Driven: You leverage metrics and data to evaluate system performance, validate technical decisions, and replace assumptions with evidence
  
  

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 hands-on software application development experience building production-grade software
• Core Backend Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, Spring Framework, or Quarkus Framework
• Distributed Systems: Proven expertise in building distributed, cloud-native applications focused on high availability, scalability, and reliability
• Cloud & Containerization: Deep experience with containerized deployments (Docker / Kubernetes) hosted on cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP
• Agile Autonomy: Proven ability to adapt quickly and work independently within a fast-paced Agile environment with minimal supervision
  
  

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Proven ability to leverage AI technologies and workflows to drive measurable operational efficiency
• Polyglot Mindset: Comfort and flexibility in switching between languages (such as Java, Go, Python, or C++) based on project requirements
• Advanced DevOps & CI/CD: Hands-on experience designing and writing complex GitLab CI/CD pipelines and automated release workflows
• Container Orchestration: Deep knowledge of container infrastructure management and advanced Kubernetes orchestration techniques
  
  

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

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.

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.