About the role

Please note, this team is hiring across all levels and candidates are individually assessed and appropriately leveled based upon their skills and experience.

Netskope Cloud Data Plane engineers architect and design one of the most scalable, high-performance cloud data planes in the world, processing 10+ Gbps of traffic, performing deep inspection using state-of-the-art techniques like AI/ML to detect activities and apply advanced policies like DLP, Threat and UEBA protection, all at line rate.

What’s in it for you

In this role you will be a key member of the Secure Web Gateway team supporting our in-line CASB and SWG products, both of which have been recognized by Gartner as market leaders in their Magic Quadrant reports:

Netskope SWG in Gartner 2023 SSE Magic Quadrant

Netskope CASB in Gartner 2023 SSE Magic Quadrant

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and analyze features for the cloud data plane.
• Utilize advanced data structures and algorithms in C, C++, Go and Python to optimize performance.
• Perform real-time content analysis to ensure robust security measures.
• Conduct deep inspection of traffic to detect and mitigate threats in near real-time.
• Develop and implement DLP and threat protection solutions.
• Create sophisticated key management algorithms to enhance data security.
• Write and maintain product or system development code, ensuring high standards of quality.
• Write 100% of code, unit tests, and test automation using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar), driving measurable gains in velocity, coverage, and quality.
• Use AI tools efficiently across the entire SDLC — requirements refinement, design exploration, implementation, debugging, code review, test generation, documentation, and CI/CD automation.
• Critically evaluate AI-generated code and tests for correctness, security, performance, and maintainability, upholding the same quality bar as hand-written code.
• Continuously evaluate emerging AI tools and agentic workflows, and drive their adoption across the team to improve engineering productivity.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for software design, implementation, and processes.
• Build and maintain services capable of inspecting various network protocols, such as HTTP, at line rate.
• Review and provide feedback on code developed by other team members to ensure adherence to best practices, including style guidelines, code accuracy, testability, and efficiency.
• Contribute to the architecture and design of distributed systems, focusing on scalability, reliability, and efficiency.
• Through understanding of the SDLC process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, system architects, and product managers, to deliver high-quality software solutions.

Required skills and experience

• 7-10  years of industry experience building high-performance data plane services.
• AI-native developer: proven track record of writing 100% of production code, unit tests (UT), and automation using AI tools — hands-on expertise with AI coding agents and assistants such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar.
• Well-versed with the AI tooling landscape and its efficient usage across the SDLC — effective prompting and context management, agentic workflows, AI-assisted debugging, code review, and test generation.
• Ability to validate AI-generated output for correctness, security, and performance — essential when building a security product.
• Proven expertise in network and web security technologies (firewalls, web security, IDP/IPS, DNS-based security, etc.).
• In-depth knowledge of IP, TCP, TLS, HTTP and Web Socket  protocols is essential.
• Significant experience with HTTP Proxy.
• In-depth knowledge of tunnelling protocols like GRE, IPSec, SSL, VxLAN is essential.
• Programming mastery in C/C++, Go and Python.
• Strong expertise in RESTful Web Service, Data Yang Modelling.
• Expertise in message protocols like KAFKA, NATS, gRPC etc.
• Expertise in capturing the packets using Wireshark, tcpdump etc. and analyzing the packets captured.
• Strong expertise in cloud technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, Helm etc.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, including multi-threading, CPU scheduling, and memory management.
• Advanced understanding of algorithms and data structures for real-time in-line data processing.
• Extensive knowledge of Linux at a systems level.
• Exceptional analytical and troubleshooting skills, proficient in using debuggers like gdb and tools like Valgrind.
• Advocate of Test-Driven Development (TDD), with comprehensive knowledge of various unit testing frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor engineering teams, providing technical guidance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience with performance optimization and scalability of complex systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Education

• BSCS or equivalent required, MSCS or equivalent strongly preferred

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