Sr. Staff Software Engineer (Datapath/Web Proxy)

As a Sr. Staff Software Engineer at Zscaler, your core responsibilities include designing and implementing innovative traffic forwarding and processing solutions that handle large-scale data efficiently, specifically within network-oriented applications such as web security proxies and API gateways. You'll be an integral part of a startup-like team, contributing to the development of advanced Gen AI technologies that enhance web security for our clients. Your expertise in Golang and experience with high-volume data forwarding solutions will be crucial as you collaborate with fellow engineers and product architects to create a robust cloud security platform.

Candidates for the Sr. Staff Software Engineer role at Zscaler should possess a minimum of 8 years of experience in designing and implementing high-volume data forwarding solutions. A strong proficiency in Golang, along with a solid foundation in object-oriented programming and design patterns, is essential. A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required. Additionally, experience with cloud-native technologies like AWS and familiarity with micro-services and multi-threading architectures will set you apart.

Zscaler fosters a vibrant and inclusive culture that empowers engineers to thrive in their roles. We believe that diversity drives innovation, and our collaborative environment is designed to bring out the best in our team. Whether you’re working remotely or on-site in San Jose, you’ll find opportunities to engage with brilliant minds in the industry, share ideas, and contribute to meaningful projects that not only enhance individual careers but also drive the company’s mission to make cloud business safe and enjoyable.

At Zscaler, growth opportunities abound for a Sr. Staff Software Engineer. You’ll not only be exposed to cutting-edge technologies in the cloud security field but will also have access to a plethora of resources for professional development, including mentorship programs and educational reimbursement. As a part of an organization known for its innovation and thought leadership, you can expect to take on significant challenges that will expand your skillset and professional trajectory while playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity.

The salary range for the Sr. Staff Software Engineer position at Zscaler is between $147,000 and $210,000 USD. This range reflects the target for new hires across all US locations and may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and education. In addition to base pay, Zscaler offers comprehensive benefits, including health plans, retirement options, and paid time off, ensuring that all employees are well-supported in their professional journeys.

To effectively answer this question, you should outline specific projects where you developed data forwarding systems, highlighting key challenges and your contributions to overcoming them. Mention the technologies used, especially emphasizing your proficiency with Golang, and any design patterns applied. Showcase metrics or results that demonstrate the efficiency or performance improvements achieved through your solutions.

When discussing low latency, focus on techniques you’ve used in past projects, such as optimizing algorithms, utilizing multi-threading, or applying event-driven architectures. Cite examples where you successfully reduced latency and explain the impact it had on the application’s performance. Highlight your understanding of network performance and user experience.

Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific cloud-native technologies, particularly within the AWS ecosystem. Talk about your hands-on experience deploying applications using Kubernetes and managing micro-services. Mention any challenges you faced and how you leveraged cloud features to enhance performance, scalability, and reliability.

In your response, reflect on a project where teamwork was essential. Discuss your specific role, how you communicated with team members, and the contributions you made to achieve project goals. Emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively in a startup-like environment, showcasing instances where your input led to innovative solutions.

Share your strategies for continuous learning and adaptation. Discuss how you stay current with industry trends, whether through online courses, coding challenges, or contributing to open-source projects. Illustrate with an example of when you had to learn something new quickly and how it benefited your project or team.

Discuss various design patterns such as Singleton, Observer, and Factory that you are familiar with. Provide examples of how you implemented these patterns in previous projects, detailing the problems they helped solve. Your ability to articulate these concepts will show your depth of knowledge in software engineering.

Demonstrate your communication skills by providing a high-level overview of a complex project you’ve worked on. Break it down in simple terms while still covering the essential components. This will highlight your ability to make intricate ideas accessible, showcasing not just your technical acumen but also your interpersonal skills.

Provide an insightful analysis of potential challenges such as scaling applications, maintaining high security standards, or keeping up with evolving technologies. Express your eagerness to tackle these challenges and share strategies you would employ to address them, emphasizing a proactive mindset and readiness to learn.

Share your approach to task management, including any tools or methodologies you use (e.g., Agile, Kanban). Illustrate this with examples from past experiences where you effectively balanced priorities, effectively managing deadlines while ensuring quality work.

Reflect on the company's mission to enhance cloud security and digital transformation. Share how your values align with Zscaler's focus on innovation, collaboration, and diversity. Highlight specific aspects of the company culture or projects that you find particularly appealing, demonstrating your genuine interest in contributing to their objectives.