Principal Software Development Engineer; Control-Plane

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 160+ public exchanges globally and thousands of private exchanges at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback.

Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.

We are looking for a Principal Software Development Engineer (Control-Plane) to join our Engineering team. This is a hybrid (in Santa Clara, CA office minimum 3 days per week) role, 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.

• Define software design specifications and implement bug‑free code using test‑driven methodology and modern AI‑based coding tools
• Design, develop, and optimize the system, including networking and security features, to support high‑performance applications while performing unit testing and automation to ensure quality
• Apply strong software design principles and deep troubleshooting expertise to deliver scalable, resilient, and impactful improvements to Zscaler’s Zero Trust Security Services
• Work directly with Engineering Architects, Product Managers, Customers, and Solution Architects to understand customer use cases, review PRDs, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify and resolve system‑related issues
• Coach and mentor junior team members and ensure highest level of quality deliverables

• 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.

• 12+ years of experience designing and building large‑scale, highly reliable, and scalable software systems, preferably in Python and/or…