Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel

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 with computer architecture, operating system and Kernel

programming.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

technical field.

• 8 years of experience with data structures and 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 Linux Kernel, CPU scheduling, memory management and

virtualization.

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.

Google’s Kernel Resource Management team is hiring a Staff Software Engineer to

shape the future of our compute infrastructure. In this role, you will drive the

technical strategy and architecture for core Linux kernel subsystems, primarily

focusing on memory management and CPU scheduling. Your work will directly impact

Google's global fleet by maximizing efficiency, scaling throughput, and

innovating in advanced areas like low-overhead virtualization, memory tiering,

and kernel security hardening. If you are an expert in OS kernels and computer

architecture with a track record of leading high-impact systems engineering

initiatives, join us to solve complex, low-level software challenges at an

unprecedented scale.

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:

• Drive the technical strategy and architecture for essential Linux kernel

subsystems, including memory management, CPU scheduling, BPF, and

filesystems.

• Own the scoping and strategy for critical systems engineering initiatives,

guiding technical teams through ambiguous, low-level software challenges to

meet the demands of Google's compute infrastructure.

• Partner with Tech Leads, Engineering Managers, and cross-functional

leadership across Platform Infrastructure and Google Cloud to align project

roadmaps and establish clear technical boundaries.

• Oversee end-to-end project execution to ensure teams successfully deliver on

critical technical milestones.

• Advocate for testing methodologies, system optimizations, and performance

profiling to eliminate code regressions, reduce failure rates, and uphold

fleet efficiency and data integrity.