Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer
Santa Clara · USD 180,000-225,000 · 10+ years experience · Hybrid · Posted Oct 14, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 10+ years experience
- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Location
- Santa Clara
- Salary
- USD 180,000-225,000 · Base salary
About the role
- Zscaler is looking for a Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer to join the Zero Trust Branch datapath team.
- As a core technical expert, you will contribute to building and enhancing the Zero Trust Branch platform by designing and developing robust dataplane services and APIs supporting millions of users globally.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, design architectures, and deliver resilient cloud-based software solutions and network integrations
- Leverage deep expertise in L2–L7 networking to develop and advance cloud-delivered security and SD-WAN technologies
- Develop, maintain, and optimize high-performance network applications and protocols utilizing Go and Python
- Design efficient data structures for network data processing and handle system-level programming within Linux environments
- Analyze network performance to isolate bottlenecks, drive system optimizations, and lead rigorous code reviews, testing, and debugging
Requirements
- Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
- 10+ years of experience designing and developing software within a distributed, enterprise-scale environment
- Strong proficiency in Go programming specifically applied to network data handling and processing
- Deep expertise in Linux environments, including system-level programming, networking concepts, scripting, and troubleshooting
- Strong exposure to SD-WAN technologies, VPNs, Cloud Security architectures, and cloud platforms such as AWS
- In-depth understanding of L2–L7 networking, TCP/IP stack internals, traffic management protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS), and performance testing methodologies
Preferred qualifications
- Proficiency with modern AI code-assistance tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor) to accelerate architecture design, software refactoring, and system development
- Advanced hands-on experience with L3 tunneling protocols, SD-WAN implementations, and cloud-based networking architecture, design, and deployment
- Proven track record of monitoring industry trends and proactively proposing architectural enhancements to elevate system reliability, scalability, and network efficiency
Benefits
- Various health plans
- Time off plans for vacation and sick time
- Parental leave options
- Retirement options
- Education reimbursement
- In-office perks
Workplace
- Hybrid role based in Santa Clara, CA
- Requires 3 days in office
Skills
- Go
- Python
- Linux
- AWS
- SD-WAN
- TCP/IP
- HTTP/HTTPS
- SSL/TLS
- GitHub Copilot
- Cursor
