Sr. Principal Software Development Engineer

The Sr. Principal Software Development Engineer at Zscaler will be responsible for providing technical leadership for our multi-tenant cloud-based data platform. This includes influencing architectural decisions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement scalable data architecture, and mentoring engineering teams to foster technical excellence.

Zscaler requires candidates to have at least 12 years of software engineering experience, particularly with cloud-based data platforms. A deep understanding of distributed systems and extensive experience in cloud services like AWS, Azure, or GCP is essential to succeed in this role.

Zscaler promotes continuous learning and growth through mentorship and collaboration within teams. As a Sr. Principal Software Development Engineer, you will have the opportunity to guide and coach others while engaging in innovative projects that drive the business forward.

In the role of Sr. Principal Software Development Engineer at Zscaler, you will work on designing and enhancing our multi-tenant cloud-based data platform, focusing on system reliability, performance improvements, and incorporating best practices in monitoring and automation.

Zscaler fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture, where innovation thrives. With a mission to create a safe cloud environment for enterprise users and the recognition as a Best Workplace in Technology, Zscaler provides an exciting opportunity to have a substantial impact on numerous organizations around the globe.

Highlight specific projects you’ve worked on that involved designing and implementing cloud-based solutions. Discuss the technologies and framework providers you’ve utilized, such as AWS or Snowflake, focusing on how you ensured scalability and security.

Discuss approaches you’ve employed to foster collaboration, such as conducting regular code reviews, leading knowledge-sharing sessions, and encouraging a growth mindset within the team.

Talk about how you work with product management and cross-functional teams to align technical strategies with business goals, using real examples of adapting architectures to evolving requirements.

Share a specific project, detailing the challenges faced, your approach to problem-solving, and ultimately how you achieved the desired results and improvements in system performance.

Discuss specific tools you’ve used for monitoring and automation, such as Prometheus or Terraform, and best practices you follow for ensuring fault tolerance and availability.

Share how you engage with the tech community, attend conferences, read articles, and participate in online forums or webinars that help you stay at the forefront of advancements in cloud technology.

Discuss how you've collaborated with cloud providers like AWS or Azure, ensuring that their services align with your project requirements, and describing any challenges and resolutions in those partnerships.

Explain your familiarity with methodologies such as Agile or DevOps, giving insights on how these frameworks have helped you lead engineering teams and complete projects efficiently.

State the programming languages you’re proficient in and provide examples of how you have leveraged them in past projects, especially in developing scalable, fault-tolerant cloud-based solutions.

Share strategies for effective communication and collaboration, including regular touchpoints with other teams and how you would ensure alignment on technical goals with the overall business strategy.