Sr. Staff Software Development Engineer - Networking + Go

Overview

Senior Staff Software Development Engineer on the team that built Zscaler's cloud security platform, focused on high-performance networking, control plane services and secure system hardening.

What you'll do

• Design, develop and optimize high-performance network system architecture, control plane services, and WAN failover mechanisms to ensure high availability and rapid convergence.
• Develop kernel-level networking features (eBPF, NFLOG rate limiting) and perform advanced packet tracing, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.
• Harden system security for public sector infrastructure, implementing TPM2, FIPS-certified cryptography, secure bootstrapping, and strict compliance standards.
• Expand containerized platforms and Python-based control plane orchestration, managing image creation pipelines and activation across physical and cloud deployments.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to review PRDs, author technical specifications, and drive comprehensive unit, integration, and automated testing.
• Resolve critical customer escalations, translating systemic defects into architectural enhancements and mentoring junior engineers on design and AI-assisted workflows.

What you'll need

• Demonstrated curiosity and active exploration of AI tools, with a proven history of integrating new technologies to enhance daily workflows and augment problem-solving.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field with 10+ years of experience in system engineering for high-performance networking.
• Deep expertise in Linux systems programming and networking subsystems (L2/L3 architecture, netfilter, packet routing).
• Mastery of core network protocols including DHCP, DNS, IPsec, WireGuard, and GRE.
• Proficiency in Go and Python programming languages with strong problem-solving skills for debugging complex data path issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to design scalable systems effectively in a high-accountability environment.

Nice to have

• Experience integrating AI/ML frameworks or intelligent data path analysis models to optimize kernel-level networking performance and automate predictive threat detection.
• Hands-on experience with eBPF, NFLOG, bpftrace for kernel-level tracing, paired with practical familiarity operating VyOS or modern Network Operating Systems.
• Proven track record in optimizing container footprints, configuring CI/CD pipelines, managing artifact proxy repositories, and proactively remediating security vulnerabilities and exposed secrets.
• Practical background working with TPM2 integration, cellular modem configurations, or dedicated enterprise appliance hardware such as the Dell VEP series.
• Experience with WireGuard, tunneling protocols (GRE, L2VPN), HA protocols (VRRP), alongside certifications like FIPS or FedRAMP and prior experience with TLS, DTLS, and QUIC.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS or Azure), containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), and advanced virtualization or security solutions.

Details

• Hybrid role based in Bangalore, India.
• Reports to the Director, Software Engineering in the Engineering department.