Staff Software Development Engineer (Backend - Java/API)

About Zscaler

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise, we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate -we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession, collaboration, ownership, and accountability.

We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

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)

• 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
• AI Curiosity: Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a history of integrating new technologies to streamline workflows and augment problem-solving

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• 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.

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.