Sr Staff Software Development Engineer

As a Sr Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler, you will engage in various responsibilities including collaborating with team engineers to interpret requirements and create scalable code. Additionally, you will write and unit test code, build prototypes, and troubleshoot issues in our scalable distributed systems, playing a crucial role in the unification of our platform. Your experience will contribute significantly to our mission of enhancing security solutions for enterprise users.

To qualify for the Sr Staff Software Development Engineer position at Zscaler, you need a minimum of 8 years of experience in Java and familiarity with microservice-based architecture. Moreover, 4+ years of experience with SQL databases such as Postgres, as well as knowledge of message bus architectures, SAML, and OAuth2, are highly desirable. Strong capabilities in building scalable systems are essential for this role, making candidates with diverse technical backgrounds particularly well-suited.

Zscaler is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, promoting diversity as a catalyst for innovation and productivity. As a Sr Staff Software Development Engineer, you will be welcomed into a culture that not only values diverse backgrounds but also emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. Zscaler’s principles guide their commitment to creating a representative and impactful team where everyone belongs.

The Sr Staff Software Development Engineer role at Zscaler is attractive due to the opportunity to work on the world's largest cloud security platform while contributing to cutting-edge technology such as the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™. This position provides a vibrant work environment that champions collaboration, allows for individual creativity, and offers numerous opportunities for professional growth within the ever-evolving field of cloud security.

The career growth opportunities for a Sr Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler are extensive. Given the company’s commitment to innovation and continuous development, you will have the chance to advance within the engineering team based on your initiatives and achievements. With Zscaler's focus on enhancing technology and expanding globally, skilled engineers can pave their paths toward leadership roles within the organization.

When answering this question, you should detail specific projects where you've utilized Java and microservices. Describe the architecture of the applications you built, the challenges you faced, and how you solved them. Highlight your understanding of microservice principles and any frameworks you used.

Explain your approach to unit testing, including tools and frameworks you've used. Provide examples of how your testing practices have improved code quality in your past projects, such as reducing bugs or improving deployment times.

Share your methodical approach to troubleshooting, emphasizing techniques like monitoring, logging, and analyzing past performance metrics. Provide real-world examples of specific issues faced and how you resolved them.

Discuss your understanding of cloud security, touching on principles like Zero Trust, data protection, and compliance. Cite any experience you have with security protocols, damage prevention strategies, and real incidents where those strategies were put into practice.

Talk about design principles you abide by, such as modular architecture, code reviews, and documentation practices. Give examples of scalable solutions you've designed in the past and what maintenance processes you put in place afterward.

Summarize the databases you have worked with, emphasizing the principles behind choosing SQL versus NoSQL. Include any specific use cases where you utilized each effectively and the results of those decisions.

Share how you prioritize open communication and understanding different viewpoints. Provide examples of past situations where you've navigated team conflicts, focusing on effective resolutions that benefited the project.

Highlight your belief in knowledge sharing and continual learning. Explain how you've previously mentored others through pair programming, code reviews, or one-on-one guidance, and the positive impact it had on team dynamics.

Provide a concise explanation of both protocols and their purposes. Discuss when and why you’ve used them in projects, including their function in authentication and authorization processes.

Reflect your active engagement with industry developments by discussing current trends like AI in security, automated compliance, or threat intelligence. Share how these trends can influence your role as a software engineer at Zscaler.