{"id":2564651,"url":"https://alion.io/job/zscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5","title":"Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer","company":{"id":1208,"name":"Zscaler","domain":"zscaler.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/zscaler","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":85,"open_postings":54,"ghost_share":0.019,"stale_share":0.537,"repost_share":0.037,"time_to_fill_p50_days":47,"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Santa Clara, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":180000,"max":225000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":225000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"AWS","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"TCP/IP","optional":false},{"name":"Zero Trust","optional":false},{"name":"Zscaler","optional":false},{"name":"Copilot","optional":true},{"name":"Cursor","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-14T20:18:58Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-14","last_verified_at":"2026-10-15T16:34:43Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"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.\nWe 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.\nRole\nWe are looking for a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer to join our Zero Trust Branch datapath team. This is a hybrid role based in Santa Clara, CA (3 days in office), reporting to the Architect, Engineering. As a core technical expert, you will contribute to building and enhancing our Zero Trust Branch platform, designing and developing robust dataplane services and APIs that support millions of users globally.\nWhat you'll do (Role Expectations)\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, design architectures, and deliver resilient cloud-based software solutions and network integrations\nLeverage deep expertise in L2-L7 networking to develop and advance cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies\nDevelop, maintain, and optimize high-performance network applications and protocols utilizing Go and Python\nDesign efficient data structures for network data processing and handle system-level programming within Linux environments\nAnalyze network performance to isolate bottlenecks, drive system optimizations, and lead rigorous code reviews, testing, and debugging\nWho You Are (Success Profile)\nYou thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it, viewing dynamic environments not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.\nYou operate with urgency. You understand that in a high-growth environment, speed and quality are not mutually exclusive, maintaining a relentless focus on execution and delivering high-impact results quickly.\nYou are a problem-solver. You actively seek out challenges and are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hardest problems delivers the biggest impact.\nYou are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, embracing a challenge culture where candid feedback delivered with clarity and respect earns trust and drives excellence.\nYou lead with integrity. You consistently do the right thing, hold yourself and others to high accountability, and build trust by matching your words with transparent action.\nWhat We're Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)\nFoundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain\n10+ years of experience designing and developing software within a distributed, enterprise-scale environment\nStrong proficiency in Go programming specifically applied to network data handling and processing\nDeep expertise in Linux environments, including system-level programming, networking concepts, scripting, and troubleshooting\nStrong exposure to SD-WAN technologies, VPNs, Cloud Security architectures, and cloud platforms such as AWS\nIn-depth understanding of L2-L7 networking, TCP/IP stack internals, traffic management protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS), and performance testing methodologies\nWhat Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)\nProficiency with modern AI code-assistance tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor) to accelerate architecture design, software refactoring, and system development\nAdvanced hands-on experience with L3 tunneling protocols, SD-WAN implementations, and cloud-based networking architecture, design, and deployment\nProven track record of monitoring industry trends and proactively proposing architectural enhancements to elevate system reliability, scalability, and network efficiency\n#LI-YC2 #LI-Hybrid\nZscaler’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.\nThe base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.\nBase Pay Range\n$180,000—$225,000 USD\nAt 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.\nOur 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:\nVarious health plans\nTime off plans for vacation and sick time\nParental leave options\nRetirement options\nEducation reimbursement\nIn-office perks, and more!\nLearn more about Zscaler's hybrid working model and benefits here.\nBy applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.\nZscaler 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.\nPay Transparency\nZscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules.\nZscaler 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7032,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Hybrid work","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Network Security","Cloud Security"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-14T21:39:53Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 154 · green card filings: 48","filings_12m":154,"filings_prev_12m":180,"green_card_filings_12m":48,"median_offered_wage_usd":192500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":111}],"liveness":{"score":63,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.632,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":47,"reasons":["conf:0","stale_co","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":225000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/zscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/zscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-15T18:06:40Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":27468,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1208},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1208"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fzscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fzscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fzscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/zscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fzscaler-sr-staff-software-development-engineer-5"}]}