Sr. Software Development Engineer - Network, Security, LLM

About Zscaler Zscaler is a pioneer and global leader in zero trust security. The world’s largest businesses, critical infrastructure organizations, and government agencies rely on Zscaler to secure users, branches, applications, data & devices, and to accelerate digital transformation initiatives. Distributed across more than 160 data centers globally, the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform combined with advanced AI combats billions of cyber threats and policy violations every day and unlocks productivity gains for modern enterprises by reducing costs and complexity. Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. 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 champion an “AI Forward, People First” philosophy to help us accelerate and innovate, empowering our people to embrace their potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges and want to make a positive difference on a global scale, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler to help shape the future of cybersecurity. Role We are looking for a Senior Software Development Engineer to join us as a founding member of our AI Security Team. This is a hybrid role for San Jose, CA, reporting to the Director of Software Engineering within the Emerging Tech org. You will build a high-reliability, low-latency AI security solution capable of scaling to hundreds of millions of users. In this role, you will be crucial in enhancing security capabilities for the AI within the world's largest cloud security platform by designing and implementing core infrastructure components and distributed systems while collaborating closely with stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) Develop high-performance networking code for multiple desktop platforms using the Rust language and platform-native APIs Improve code quality through building solid, testable, and well-documented software foundations Design and implement major development projects with a focus on scalability, security, and performance Collaborate with product managers and cross-functional teams to deliver customer-impacting features Debug and solve complex network-related problems and enhance system functionality Who You Are (Success Profile) You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful. You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact. You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust. You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and are obsessed with your own development, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose. What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications) Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field 3+ years of software engineering experience with deep expertise in the Rust programming language and familiarity with lower-level languages such as C/C++ Strong knowledge of system and network programming including firewalls, VPNs, protocols, TCP/IP, UDP, DNS, QUIC, H/3, and proxies Familiarity with system concepts such as virtual memory, multi-threading, and system APIs, and familiarity with SLM and LLM models Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills in both networking and system-level contexts What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications) Familiarity with kernel-mode programming, VPN technologies, and a strong understanding of security protocols and standards Experience writing testable, low-complexity code with dependency injection and thorough documentation Proficiency in additional programming languages like Swift, Python, or comparable technologies; direct experience in validating AI-driven products, including understanding of model performance metrics and MLOps principles Compensation Zscaler’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. The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits. Base Pay Range

112,000 - 160,000 USD

Company Culture and Benefits 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 Future of Work strategy, 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. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. Pay Transparency Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules. Accommodations and Supports 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. Additional Information Required skills: C, C++, Debugging, Firewall, Networking, Python, Swift, Distributed Systems, TCP/IP, multithreading, DNS, UDP. Required languages: English. #J-18808-Ljbffr Zscaler