Staff Software Engineer, Linux Networking

Google
Sunnyvale, California, United StatesFull-time$207,000–$300,000Posted Aug 26, 2026

About the role

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 8 years of experience programming in C++.
  • 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products.
  • 5 years of experience building and developing large-scale infrastructure,

distributed systems or networks, or experience with compute technologies,

storage, or hardware architecture.

  • 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
  • Experience in systems programming using C or C++, with experience in Linux

kernel internals and large-scale system architecture design.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related

technical field.

  • 8 years of experience with data structures/algorithms.
  • 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams

and setting technical direction.

  • 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving

cross-functional, or cross-business projects.

  • Experience with PCI Express (PCIe) interfaces, related device driver

development, and advanced network protocols or kernel-level networking

performance optimization.

ABOUT THE JOB:

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change

how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one

another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend

well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from

all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale

system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence,

natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is

growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project

critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as

you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be

versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new

problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

The Linux Kernel Networking team within CoreOS builds and maintains the secure,

high-performance stack powering Google's global infrastructure and Google Cloud.

Managing all internet-facing traffic, production traffic, and massive AI/ML data

pipelines, our work delivers planet-scale impact across millions of machines. We

follow an "upstream first" philosophy and guide the community as a major

contributor to Linux TCP/IP.

In this role, you will design, optimize, and maintain core kernel networking

protocols for latency-sensitive and high-throughput workloads. In addition to

technical execution, you will direct cross-organizational initiatives, mentor

engineers across career stages, contribute directly to the upstream kernel, and

have the opportunity to manage a small team.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google

customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and

Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our

customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users

worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering

the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing

power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable

developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping

the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the

development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking,

Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills,

experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google

[https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/benefits/].

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as a technical lead for the Linux Kernel Networking team, collaborating

with leadership to define long-term architectural strategy, establish team

vision, and manage project priorities, deliverables, and production support.

  • Design, develop, test, and enhance large-scale Linux kernel networking

solutions and PCIe-related device drivers tailored for high-throughput,

low-latency performance.

  • Coach, mentor, and guide a distributed team of engineers, supporting their

career development and fostering high engineering standards.

  • Drive alignment across cross-organizational teams on goals, roadmaps, and

dependencies to execute planet-scale infrastructure projects.

  • Leverage emerging AI-assisted tools and best practices to accelerate software

development workflows, testing, and deployment cycles.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a technical lead for the Linux Kernel Networking team, collaborating with leadership to define long-term architectural strategy, establish team vision, and manage project priorities, deliverables, and production support.
  • Design, develop, test, and enhance large-scale Linux kernel networking solutions and PCIe-related device drivers tailored for high-throughput, low-latency performance.
  • Coach, mentor, and guide a distributed team of engineers, supporting their career development and fostering high engineering standards.
  • Drive alignment across cross-organizational teams on goals, roadmaps, and dependencies to execute planet-scale infrastructure projects.
  • Leverage emerging AI-assisted tools and best practices to accelerate software development workflows, testing, and deployment cycles.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 8 years of experience programming in C++.
  • 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products.
  • 5 years of experience building and developing large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems or networks.
  • 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.

Benefits

  • 20% bonus target
  • equity
  • comprehensive benefits package

Skills mentioned

C++CLinuxDistributed SystemsSystem DesignPerformance OptimizationSoftware TestingTCP/IPConcurrencySystems Engineering

About Google

A problem isn't truly solved until it's solved for all. Googlers build products that help create opportunities for everyone, whether down the street or across the globe. Bring your insight, imagination and a healthy disregard for the impossible. Bring everything that makes you unique. Together, we can build for everyone. Check out our career opportunities at goo.gle/3DLEokh

Software Development10,001+ employeesMountain View, CA