Staff Software Engineer (Python/Go, Cloud Network Security, Controlplane)

About Zscaler Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise , we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate —we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession , collaboration, ownership, and accountability. We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity. Role We are looking for a Staff Software Development Engineer (Controlpath) to join our Engineering team in a hybrid capacity, based out of our San Jose, CA office three days a week, reporting to the Director, Software Development Engineering. We are expanding our existing control path and looking for a software engineer to help drive the development of new features and enhanced functionality. You will play a pivotal role in evolving our architecture to ensure it meets the demands of our growing user base. What you’ll do (Role Expectations) Define software design specifications and implement bug-free code using test-driven methodology and modern AI-based coding tools Look for opportunities to refactor existing code in the interest of maintainability and reusability Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams including Security, UI, Platform, Analytics, and Quality Assurance Partner with Product Management to drive detailed product requirements Diagnose complex customer issues and take full ownership of issue resolution Who You Are (Success Profile) You thrive in ambiguity. You're comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful. You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. You adapt to what’s needed, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. You are a problem-solver. You seek out challenges because you are energized by finding solutions, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact. You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback—knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust. You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and never stop developing yourself, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose. What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications) 5+ years of software development experience building large-scale, reliable, and scalable applications, preferably using Python or Golang Hands-on experience with popular public cloud services infrastructure offerings such as AWS, GCP, or Azure Solid knowledge of cloud networking, specifically Transit Gateway, IGW, N