Senior Staff Software Engineer - C and IPSec

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™️ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 160+ public exchanges globally and thousands of private exchanges at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback. Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.

Role

We are looking for a Senior Staff Software Development Engineer to join our team. This is a Hybrid role based in Bangalore, reporting to the Senior Manager, ZIA Core Engineering. You will make ZIA software run in public cloud infrastructure by bringing strong public cloud knowledge, technical expertise in network security, hands-on development experience, and proven leadership capabilities. You will bring your vision and passion to our team of experts who are enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy through the world's largest cloud security platform.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Participate in the design, development, and optimization of firewall/SWG platforms in Cloud Infrastructure
• Execute the technical roadmap for firewalls/SWG in Cloud Infrastructure, ensuring alignment with business goals
• Work closely with engineering teams to enhance platform support for virtualized environments
• Drive professional development and growth initiatives for team members

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity and feel comfortable building the path as you walk it, seeing dynamic environments not as a hindrance but as raw material to build something meaningful.
• You act like an owner, letting your passion fuel a bias for action while navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a tenacious problem-solver who seeks out challenges, knowing that finding solutions to the hardest problems delivers the biggest impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator who is ambitious for the team, embracing our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback with clarity, candor, and respect.
• You are a learner with a true growth mindset, actively seeking feedback to continuously develop yourself, become a stronger teammate, and work with purpose.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
• 8+ years of experience in designing and implementing networking security software and public cloud infrastructure
• Direct experience working on C programming and firewall or SWG technology
• Experience in designing how NGFW/SWG solutions integrate with or extend native public cloud services, including Firewall/IPS, FreeBSD, and OpenSSL
• Strong understanding of VPN, Tunneling, IPSec, and IKEv1/v2 protocols

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Mastery of network security fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP(S), TLS 1.2/1.3, VPN technologies, NAT, and load balancing
• Proven experience with virtualization technologies
• Strong understanding of TLS, OpenSSL, PQC, Hybrid KEM, QUIC, and Crypto accelerators

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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:

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.