Senior Manager / Director - Backend Software Development Engineering

Sr Manager / Director, Software Development Engineering (Backend - Java/C)

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’re looking for a seasoned Senior Manager / Director, Software Development Engineering to join our team. This is a hybrid role based in our Bangalore office, reporting to the Sr. Director, Software Engineering within the Engineering department. 

You will lead and grow a high-impact engineering team working on Nanolog, a massively scalable product that has redefined how cloud security services are delivered. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity to drive technical excellence and scale a critical platform.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Manage a rapidly growing software engineering team of strong individual contributors
• Review architecture and code for the engineers to align with long term platform capabilities
• Create quality process and computing initiatives throughout the product lifecycle to eliminate architecture, design, and coding defects at the source
• Communicate technical solutions to all levels within-group and cross-discipline while providing consistent status reporting
• Maximize the productivity of your team by predicting and resolving obstacles and dependencies before they arise

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• 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 positive force. You approach hard problems with constructive energy and a 'can-do' spirit that is contagious, inspiring your team to stay focused on the solution
• You are driven by innovation. You have a deep curiosity for how things work and are energized by solving complex technical challenges. You believe in the power of technology to accelerate transformation and are always looking for a better, more secure, and scalable way
• You champion simplicity. You are skilled at distilling complex problems, user needs, and technical concepts into clear, simple, and actionable plans. You are a precise communicator who brings clarity and focus to every interaction
• You are data-driven. You use data and analytics to find the truth, measure what matters, and guide informed decisions. You value evidence over assumptions, replacing "I think" with "I know" to drive better outcomes

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• 12+ years of overall software development experience with 3+ years managing engineering teams in database, cloud, or distributed domains
• Proven experience building large-scale distributed systems or database kernels using Java, Go, C, or C++
• Demonstrated ability to motivate teams through technical discussions, architectural guidelines, code reviews, and release processes
• Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional partners including QA, Product Management, and Support
• Hands-on experience in the development of database systems

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Extensive working experience with tools such as Redis, Kafka, API Gateway, or Spark
• Experience developing and managing large-scale, highly available distributed systems or database kernels specifically in C
• Deep expertise with Unix/Linux based solutions

#LI-HYBRID 

#LI-SK3

At Zscaler, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives, emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.

Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages, including:

• Various health plans
• Time off plans for vacation and sick time
• Parental leave options
• Retirement options
• Education reimbursement
• In-office perks, and more!

Learn more about Zscaler’s Future of Work strategy, hybrid working model, and benefits here.

By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.

Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. See more information by clicking on the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal link.

Pay Transparency

Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules.

Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled, have long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support.

Experience Level

Senior Level