Systems & Networking

Because Zoom operates a real-time voice and video platform, deep systems and networking knowledge is highly scrutinized. You must understand how the operating system and network stack behave under heavy load.

Be ready to go over:

• Linux Internals – Memory management, CPU scheduling, file systems, and system call tracing.
• Network Protocols – Deep understanding of TCP/IP, UDP, DNS, HTTP/S, and TLS.
• Performance Tuning – Troubleshooting resource bottlenecks and optimizing network socket performance.

Example questions or scenarios:

• A server is experiencing high CPU utilization but low traffic volume. Walk me through the steps you would take to identify the root cause.
• Explain the key differences between TCP and UDP, and why Zoom uses both protocols for different aspects of its services.

Distributed Systems Architecture

For senior and staff-level roles, you will be evaluated on your ability to design robust, fault-tolerant distributed systems that scale globally.

Be ready to go over:

• High Availability & Disaster Recovery – Designing active-active multi-region architectures with automated failover.
• Message Queues & Stream Processing – Architecting and scaling systems like Kafka, RabbitMQ, or active data pipelines.
• Scalability Trade-offs – Balancing consistency, availability, and partition tolerance (CAP theorem) in global deployments.

Example questions or scenarios:

• Design a highly available, geographically distributed logging and monitoring system for a global application.
• How would you architect a distributed caching layer to reduce database load for a high-volume read application?

As a DevOps Engineer at Zoom Video Communications, your day-to-day work will be highly dynamic, bridging the gap between infrastructure engineering and software development.

You will spend a significant portion of your time designing, building, and maintaining the automated infrastructure pipelines that support the continuous integration and continuous deployment of Zoom's core services. This includes writing infrastructure as code, configuring monitoring and alerting systems, and optimizing the build and release processes to ensure rapid, secure code delivery.

In addition to automation, you will be responsible for the continuous health and performance of production environments. You will collaborate closely with software developers to architect scalable, resilient services, participate in architectural reviews, and help define the operational standards for the engineering organization. You will also participate in a follow-the-sun on-call rotation, working with global teams to investigate and resolve complex infrastructure and network issues.

The requirements for a DevOps Engineer at Zoom vary by seniority, but all candidates must possess a strong foundation in both software engineering and system administration.

Technical Skills

• Operating Systems – Advanced proficiency in Linux administration, kernel tuning, and shell scripting (Bash).
• Programming – Strong scripting and coding skills in Python, Go, or Java.
• Infrastructure as Code – Extensive experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar tools.
• Configuration Management – Proficiency with Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
• Containerization & Orchestration – Deep expertise in Docker and Kubernetes, including cluster administration and networking.
• CI/CD Tools – Hands-on experience with Jenkins, Gitlab CI, Maven, Ant, or native build tools.
• Monitoring & Observability – Experience with Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack, or Datadog.

Experience & Soft Skills

• Experience – Typically 3+ years of experience for mid-level roles, and 8+ years for Senior DevOps Engineer or Staff DevOps Engineer positions, preferably in high-scale, 24/7 production environments.
• Collaboration – Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional, globally distributed teams.
• Problem Solving – Strong analytical skills with a methodical approach to troubleshooting complex, distributed systems.
• Communication – Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Q: How technical is the initial recruiter screening call? A: Unlike many companies where the first call is purely behavioral, Zoom recruiters often ask a series of foundational technical questions. Be prepared to answer basic questions about Linux, networking, and DevOps tools during this initial conversation.

Q: What coding language should I use during the technical interviews? A: Python is highly recommended and widely used across the Zoom DevOps team. However, you can generally use Go, Bash, or Java, provided you can write clean, efficient code and explain your logic clearly.

Q: Does Zoom support remote or hybrid work for DevOps roles? A: Zoom offers a mix of remote, hybrid, and in-office roles depending on the specific team and location. Be sure to clarify the exact expectations for your target role with your recruiter early in the process.

Q: What is the work-life balance like for DevOps Engineers at Zoom? A: Zoom operates a highly critical, global platform, which means on-call responsibilities are a standard part of the role. While teams strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance through global follow-the-sun shifts, you should expect periods of high operational demand and weekend support requirements.

To stand out during the Zoom interview process, you should keep several key strategies in mind.

• Master the basics: Do not overlook foundational Linux and networking concepts. Be ready to explain how DNS, TCP/IP, and operating system processes work in detail.
• Think aloud: During coding and system design rounds, talk through your thought process continuously. Interviewers care more about how you approach a problem than whether you get the perfect answer immediately.
• Emphasize reliability: Frame your design decisions around high availability, monitoring, and fault tolerance. Show that you prioritize keeping services running smoothly for end-users.
• Be prepared for unconventional environments: You may be asked to write code in simple text editors or chat windows. Practice writing syntax-clean code without the aid of an IDE.

A DevOps Engineer position at Zoom Video Communications offers an exciting opportunity to work on a platform of massive global scale and impact. The work you do directly enables seamless communication for millions of users worldwide, demanding a high level of technical rigor, operational excellence, and collaborative spirit.

To maximize your chances of success, focus your preparation on solidifying your systems and networking fundamentals, practicing live coding challenges in Python, and mastering distributed systems design. Approach each interview as a collaborative problem-solving session, demonstrating both your technical depth and your alignment with Zoom's core values of care and delivery.

The salary data shown above represents the typical base compensation ranges for DevOps Engineer roles at Zoom Video Communications across various levels of seniority, such as Senior DevOps Engineer and Staff DevOps Engineer. When evaluating an offer, keep in mind that total compensation at Zoom also includes equity components, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package.

As you prepare to take the next step in your career journey, you can explore additional interview insights, detailed company reviews, and real-world salary data on Dataford to help you navigate the hiring process with confidence. Good luck with your preparation!