Director of Software Engineering - C, Linux, Distributed Systems

To qualify for the Director of Software Engineering role at Zscaler, candidates should possess at least 15 years of overall experience, with 3+ years managing engineering teams, particularly in databases or distributed domains. Additionally, candidates should have strong expertise in developing large-scale distributed systems and database kernels in C, along with experience in Unix/Linux solutions. Having a proven track record in motivating teams and collaborating with cross-functional partners is also essential.

The work culture at Zscaler is dynamic and collaborative. As the Director of Software Engineering, you will be part of a team that values innovation and inclusivity. Zscaler has been recognized as a Best Workplace in Technology for fostering an environment where diverse ideas are encouraged. You will lead a passionate team working on cutting-edge cloud security solutions, fostering discussions and creativity across all levels.

In the role of Director of Software Engineering at Zscaler, your responsibilities will include managing a growing team of software engineers, overseeing architecture and code reviews, and developing quality processes throughout the product lifecycle. You will ensure that performance, security, scalability, and reliability criteria are met and lead your team in eliminating architecture and coding defects from the start.

Candidates for the Director of Software Engineering position at Zscaler should be well-versed in C programming, large-scale distributed systems, and database kernels. Familiarity with Unix/Linux based solutions, design and architectural patterns, and automation platforms will set you apart. Your expertise will contribute to evolving Zscaler's world-leading cloud security platform.

Absolutely! Zscaler prides itself on providing career growth opportunities for its employees. As the Director of Software Engineering, you can expect to lead significant projects, influence strategic decisions, and contribute to the company's innovations in cloud security. Zscaler's commitment to a learning culture and continuous improvement opens various pathways for professional development.

Zscaler is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within its workforce. The company actively seeks individuals from all backgrounds and identities, recognizing that diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. Zscaler creates an inclusive environment where every employee can contribute meaningfully, ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected.

Zscaler offers a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package for employees, which includes various health plans, time off for vacation and sick leave, parental leave options, retirement plans, and education reimbursement. These benefits are tailored to meet the diverse needs of employees and their families throughout their different life stages.

When discussing your experience managing software engineering teams, highlight specific instances where you successfully led a team through challenges. Focus on your leadership style, how you motivated your team, and how you collaborated with other departments to achieve project goals. Be sure to reference relevant metrics or outcomes that illustrate your impact.

To ensure high code quality in large-scale projects, emphasize the importance of implementing regular code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration practices. Discuss specific tools or methodologies you have used in past projects to maintain code standards. Sharing a case study of how these strategies positively impacted a project’s outcome will provide additional credibility.

When addressing architectural decisions, explain your analytical approach to evaluating trade-offs and risks associated with different architectural choices. Discuss how you involve your team in these discussions and how you incorporate feedback from various stakeholders. Highlight any successful implementations that resulted from this collaborative approach.

When asked about improving team performance, share specific examples that highlight successful initiative implementation. Discuss how you addressed team dynamics, initiated training or mentoring programs, or improved processes. Quantify your examples to demonstrate the tangible effects of your actions on productivity and morale.

Address potential challenges by demonstrating awareness of the rapid technological changes in the industry and the pressure to stay ahead in cloud security. Share your thoughts on how you plan to tackle these challenges by leveraging your team's strengths, maintaining flexibility, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

When explaining how you prioritize projects, give insight into your decision-making framework. Discuss how you evaluate factors such as project impact, urgency, and resource availability to set priorities. Mention how you communicate priorities with your team to ensure alignment towards common goals.

Illustrate your cross-functional collaboration experience by sharing examples of how you have successfully worked with different departments such as QA, product management, and support in previous roles. Emphasize the benefits of interdepartmental communication and information sharing to enhance project outcomes.

Discuss the key elements you believe contribute to a positive team culture, such as open communication, shared values, recognition of achievements, and opportunities for professional development. Providing specific instances where you cultivated such an environment will make your response more effective and engaging.

Describe your strategies for staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies in software engineering and cloud security. This could include attending conferences, participating in webinars, following industry leaders on social media, or engaging with professional associations. Sharing a recent trend that has influenced your work will illustrate your proactive approach.

When answering why you want to work at Zscaler, emphasize your alignment with the company's mission and values. Discuss your passion for cloud security and how Zscaler's innovative approach resonates with your professional goals. Be sure to express enthusiasm for leading a talented engineering team to drive impactful solutions.