Senior Staff Software Development Engineer (C/C++, TCP/IP, Datapath)

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 Senior Staff Software Development Engineer (C/C++, TCP/IP, Datapath) to join our team. This is a hybrid (onsite in San Jose three days a week) role, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Software Development Engineering in the Zero Trust Exchange department. As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you will architect and build next generation products. By designing high-performance, ultra-low-latency distributed systems, you will directly drive our transformation in cloud-based security while ensuring a seamless, lightning-fast experience for a rapidly scaling global user base. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) - Build and scale the Data Plane for Zscaler's Workload Security product, directly shaping the future of cloud-based microsegmentation - Develop and implement cutting-edge, eBPF-based distributed host firewalls across Linux and/or Windows environments - Write highly efficient, system-level C/C++ code to optimize the network datapath and process packets at ultra-high speeds with zero perceived latency - Navigate OS-level architecture in Linux, while stepping in to tackle Windows system development (non-driver) to ensure seamless cross-platform security - Design distributed system components that maintain high responsiveness and ultra-low latency during high-load, enterprise-scale traffic 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) - 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 heavy, hands-on system-level coding experience in C or C++ - Proven track record working directly on networking product lines, firewalls, or deep datapath optimization - Strong system-level understanding of Linux operating systems, with the willingness to work within Windows environments as needed - In-depth understanding of the TCP/IP stack, performance parameters, socket programming, and delivering complete software lifecycles for highly distributed, high-volume enterprise applications What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications) - Experience leveraging machine learning models or AI-driven analytics to optimize network datapath performance, detect traffic anomalies, or automate security policy enforcement within d