Staff Software Development Engineer - Backend Java

As a Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler, you will design and develop large, complex features for the Zscaler Client Connector Cloud Service. Your responsibilities will include taking end-to-end ownership of core product functionalities and key initiatives, and closely collaborating with Development, Product Management, and Cloud Operations teams throughout the product release cycle.

To apply for the Staff Software Development Engineer position at Zscaler, you should have a minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience developing web applications and microservices. You'll need expertise in Enterprise Java, object-oriented programming, systems architecture, and RESTful APIs, along with strong SQL programming skills for RDBMS databases.

Candidates who stand out for the Staff Software Development Engineer role at Zscaler demonstrate knowledge of security, authentication/authorization, and encryption best practices. Experience with version control, defect tracking, and build systems will also be a plus. Familiarity with browser debugging and profiling tools can further elevate your candidacy.

Zscaler fosters a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and career development for Staff Software Development Engineers. This includes opportunities for further education, mentorship from experienced engineers, and exposure to cutting-edge cloud technologies, enabling you to grow your skills while contributing to our innovative projects.

As a Staff Software Development Engineer at Zscaler, you can expect a dynamic, fast-paced work environment filled with collaboration and innovation. Our team thrives on building cutting-edge solutions and is dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where ideas can flow freely, fostering creativity and problem-solving.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you developed applications using Java and implemented RESTful APIs. Discuss challenges you faced, how you resolved them, and the impact your contributions had on the project's success.

Use this question to showcase a specific feature you worked on. Explain your design process, the technologies you chose, and how you ensured the feature met user needs and business goals. Highlight collaboration with other teams and any metrics that indicate the feature's success.

Discuss architectural principles you follow to ensure scalability, such as microservices architecture or effective database management. Include specific examples of how you've addressed scalability concerns in your past projects and the tools or methodologies you employed.

Detail your proficiency with SQL and any particular databases you've worked with. Provide examples of how you optimized queries or improved database structures to enhance performance in previous roles, focusing on results that benefitted the project.

Provide a comprehensive example that illustrates your understanding of security principles. Explain the feature's significance, how you implemented it, and its impact on safeguarding user data and maintaining compliance with security standards.

Discuss the version control systems (like Git) and issue tracking tools (like JIRA) you prefer. Explain how these tools facilitate collaboration, code management, and project tracking, making your development process smoother and more efficient.

Describe your approach to prioritizing development tasks in collaboration with Product Management. Focus on how you balance user requirements, technical feasibility, and business goals while considering feedback from stakeholders.

Identify the debugging tools you utilize and explain how they help you identify and fix issues in your code. Discuss specific situations where these tools saved you time and improved the quality of your software.

Use this question to show resilience and problem-solving skills. Describe the setback, the steps you took to tackle the issue, and the lessons learned that helped improve your future project management skills.

Communicate your passion for cloud security and the reasons you believe it is crucial in today’s tech landscape. Mention specific resources you follow, such as blogs, forums, or conferences that help you stay informed and engaged with the latest developments.