Principal Software Development Engineer - Golang/Python + Networking

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 looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in Bangalore,India reporting to the Director, Software Engineering in the Engineering department. You will join the team that built the world’s largest cloud security platform from the ground up, enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy. With more than 100 patents and 15 million users across 185 countries, you will bring your vision to a team of experts dedicated to enhancing our multitenant architecture and global footprint.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Designing, developing, and optimizing high-performance network system architecture and security features to support mission-critical applications
• Partnering with Engineering Architects, Product Managers, Solution Architects, and customers to understand complex use cases and review PRDs
• Authoring design and functional specifications while driving unit testing and automation to ensure high product quality
• Collaborating across cross-functional teams to resolve system-level issues, optimize data path performance, and drive feature innovation
• Applying advanced software design principles and troubleshooting expertise to coach junior team members and maintain compliance with federal security certifications

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity, easily building the path as you walk it and transforming dynamic challenges into meaningful, scalable solutions.
• You act like an owner with a strong bias for action, operating with integrity while moving seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a problem-solver who is energized by finding solutions to complex technical challenges that drive maximum impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator who is ambitious for the team, fostering continuous growth through open, candid, and respectful feedback.
• You are a learner with a growth mindset, actively seeking feedback and exploring new technologies to continuously elevate yourself and your partners.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field with 10+ years of experience in system engineering for high-performance networking
• Expertise in Linux kernel-based networking (L2/L3), stateful firewalls, NAT, network drivers, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, PIM), and protocols like VLANs, DHCP, DNS, SSL, DTLS, QUIC, IPsec, GRE, and WireGuard
• Proficiency in Go and Python programming languages with strong problem-solving skills for debugging complex data path issues
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to design scalable systems effectively in a high-accountability environment

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience integrating AI/ML frame…