Sr. Manager, Software Development (OS/Platform)

As a Sr. Manager, Software Development at Zscaler, you'll be responsible for leading the platform development team for our ZIA and Branch Connector products. Your key tasks will include providing technical leadership, creating and executing the technical roadmap for x86 architecture platforms, optimizing SSL hardware acceleration, ensuring reliable implementations using BSD/Linux, and fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams to enhance cryptographic and virtualization technologies.

To excel as a Sr. Manager, Software Development at Zscaler, candidates should have over 12 years of experience with at least 5 years in a management role, particularly overseeing platform development in networking and security solutions. A deep understanding of SSL hardware acceleration, BSD/Linux operating systems, virtualization technologies, and a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields are also critical.

The engineering team at Zscaler is designed to foster innovation and collaboration. As a Sr. Manager, you will report directly to the Director of Software Development Engineering, allowing for streamlined communication and strategic alignment with key product initiatives. You will lead a diverse team of engineers who are dedicated to building and enhancing our cloud security platform.

Zscaler offers extensive opportunities for professional growth, including the development of leadership skills within a highly collaborative environment. You'll have the chance to guide the growth plans of your team members, develop new technologies, and participate in innovative projects that drive our cloud security mission forward.

The culture at Zscaler is inclusive and supportive, fostering innovation and collaboration. It's a place where employees are encouraged to share ideas, learn from each other, and work toward making the cloud a safer and more enjoyable space for enterprise users. Zscaler values diversity and is committed to building a representative team that embraces various perspectives.

When answering this question, highlight specific past experiences related to managing software teams for security solutions, detailing your leadership approach and any successful projects you led. Provide examples of how you navigated challenges and drove innovation within your teams.

In your response, define SSL hardware acceleration and explain its role in enhancing security and performance. Draw from your experience to illustrate how you’ve implemented or optimized security protocols in past projects, elucidating the impact on user experience and data protection.

Discuss specific methods you use to stay updated, such as following industry newsletters, participating in relevant forums, or contributing to open-source projects. Emphasize your proactive approach to learning and how you integrate this knowledge into your work to enhance platform reliability.

Describe practical strategies you've employed to foster collaboration, such as regular cross-team meetings, collaborative projects, sharing successes, and creating an open communication line. Highlight how these strategies led to improved outcomes in your previous roles.

When answering, provide a concise overview of your experiences with virtualization technologies and Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK). Discuss specific projects where you implemented these technologies and the positive outcomes achieved in performance and scalability.

Outline the phases you believe are essential for a project’s success, such as initial planning, development stages, testing, and deployment. Use examples to illustrate how you ensured quality and timeliness in past projects while addressing challenges effectively.

When discussing your leadership style, be sure to emphasize key traits such as collaboration, supportiveness, and empowerment. Share anecdotes that showcase how you adapt your leadership to fit the needs of your team while aligning with company objectives.

Talk about your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication, understanding different perspectives, and finding a solution that works for everyone involved. Relevant examples can help showcase your effectiveness in managing team dynamics.

Mention metrics that are relevant to software development and security performance, such as project timelines, code quality, and team productivity. Discuss how you use these metrics to foster continuous improvement and recognize team accomplishments.

This is a chance for you to share your passion for software development and cybersecurity. Discuss any personal anecdotes or experiences that inspired this career path and how your motivation translates into your work and leadership philosophy.