Zendesk—Staff Software Engineer - (Identity & Data Engineering Focus)

Job description

Description: Job Description Position Summary: We are looking for a skilled Staff Cloud Developer with strong backend and frontend expertise to build scalable, secure cloud applications focused on AWS. This role emphasizes data engineering, API integrations, and identity workflows using AWS serverless technologies. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Python, JavaScript/Node.js, React, and building data pipelines supporting ingestion, normalization, and enrichment. Key Responsibilities: - Develop, test, and deploy AWS Lambda functions primarily in Python supporting serverless, event-driven data engineering workflows and authentication processes - Build and maintain RESTful and GraphQL APIs using AWS API Gateway and related services - Customize AWS Cognito user pools via Lambda triggers to implement authentication workflows, MFA, and token management - Develop responsive frontends using React.js or comparable frameworks for onboarding, authentication, and data presentation - Implement scalable data engineering pipelines for ingestion and processing by integrating external APIs, webhooks, and event streams - Collaborate with architecture and DevOps teams to develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and CloudFormation - Write secure, reusable IaC code provisioning backend cloud resources such as Lambda, API Gateway, Cognito, databases, caches, and queues - Participate in CI/CD pipeline configuration to automate infrastructure and application deployments - Ensure code meets security best practices including encryption, PII protection, and audit logging - Integrate cloud contact center services such as Amazon Connect with backend systems for customer engagement - Participate actively in Agile development processes, including code reviews and sprint planning - Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize applications for performance and availability Required Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience) - 8+ years development experience with 3+ years focused on AWS serverless and data engineering environments - Strong proficiency in Python for backend Lambda functions - Solid expertise in JavaScript (Node.js backend, React frontend) - Hands-on experience with AWS API Gateway, Lambda, Cognito, DynamoDB, RDS, SQS, EventBridge, and S3 - Experience customizing Cognito flows with Lambda triggers (pre-signup, authentication, MFA) - Familiarity with building and maintaining data engineering pipelines for ingestion, normalization, and enrichment via APIs and webhooks - Practical experience writing and managing Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and/or CloudFormation - Experience integrating IaC with CI/CD pipelines - Strong knowledge of cloud security, encryption, and compliance best practices - Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively Preferred Qualifications: - Experience integrating with cloud contact center platforms such as Amazon Connect - Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (ECS, EKS) - AWS Developer Associate or similar certification - Experience with Agile/Scrum and DevOps culture - Nice to have: Experience with AI tools or automation in customer support/service domains using AWS AI/ML tools like SageMaker, Comprehend, or Lex - Nice to have: Familiarity with Zendesk APIs and its ecosystem, including integrations with customer service platforms Please note that Zendesk can only hire candidates who are physically located and plan to work from Karnataka or Maharashtra. Please refer to the location posted on the requisition for where this role is based. Hybrid: In this role, our hybrid experience is designed at the team level to give you a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration - while also giving you flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. This role must attend our local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager. The intelligent heart of customer experience Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love. Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law. Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here. Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to peopleandplaces@zendesk.com with your specific accommodation request.