Software Architect, Unified Logging Platform

About Zscaler

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation so our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. Our cloud native Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of 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 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 make a positive difference on a global scale, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Our Engineering team built the world’s largest cloud security platform from the ground up, and we keep building. With more than 100 patents and big plans for enhancing services and increasing our global footprint, the team has made us and our multitenant architecture today's cloud security leader, with more than 65 million users in 185 countries. Bring your vision and passion to our team of cloud architects, software engineers, security experts, and more who are enabling organizations worldwide to harness speed and agility with a cloud-first strategy.

At Zscaler, we are expanding our presence within the U.S. federal space and other highly regulated industries, and we're looking for a talented architect with deep expertise in databases and distributed systems to help us drive this transformation. In this key role, you will modernize our in-house metric and log store database and lead the development of a unified logging platform purpose-built to meet stringent requirements for data residency and operational sovereignty across our flagship products. Your mission will include scaling the system to handle rapidly growing amounts of ingested data while leveraging the latest advancements in hardware technology.

This high-impact role will shape the future of logging and data management systems for Zscaler while actively contributing to the needs of critical industries. Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, you will be responsible for:

• Collaborating on design and implementation by working closely with engineering teams, writing design documents, leading discussions, and contributing to code reviews

• Driving architectural consistency across Zscaler as an active member of the broader architectural community

• Leading technical initiatives focused on enhancing capabilities like distributed querying, compute/storage separation, DML/DDL improvements, system modularization, and enabling dynamic workload mobility between hybrid cloud platforms

• Synthesizing requirements and validating designs by collaborating with compliance, operations, product management, and customer field teams to refine system functionality

• Determining third-party integrations, making decisions on the adoption of external libraries, components, and services

What We're Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• B.S.in Computer Science/Engineering with 10+ years of hands-on development and architecture experience

• Deep understanding of database architecture, internals, and optimization (e.g., indexing, query planning) paired with strong knowledge of distributed systems (e.g., consensus, sharding, replication)

• Advanced skills in native programming languages (C/C++) and experience developing on Linux/Unix, proficient with both relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Cassandra, Elasticsearch) databases

• Advanced experience with major public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and familiarity with big data processing technologies (e.g., Kafka, Hadoop, Spark)

• Proven ability to create technical design documents, conduct architectural reviews, drive modular system design, and guide teams with strong execution rigor

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with the first-party data center designs

• Experience with in-memory databases

• Understanding of modern big data storage and processing techniques

#LI-JM1

#LI-Hybrid

Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.

Base Pay Range
$206,500—$295,000 USD

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.