Lead Linux Kernel Networking Engineer

Google; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's Linux Kernel Networking team seeks a senior software engineer to design and optimize core kernel networking protocols for high-throughput workloads. You will drive architectural strategy, mentor engineers, and contribute to the upstream kernel while guiding cross-organizational initiatives.

The role focuses on PCIe device drivers and low-latency networking for planet-scale infrastructure, with opportunities to manage a small team and shape the roadmap for Google Cloud and beyond.

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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as 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.

Skills

C++ programming

Linux kernel internals

Large-scale systems

Distributed systems

Compute/storage hardware

Software design

C language

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD in Engineering/CS

Tools

PCI Express (PCIe) drivers

Kernel-level networking

Linux networking

Job description

Google's Linux Kernel Networking team seeks a senior software engineer to design and optimize core kernel networking protocols for high-throughput workloads. You will drive architectural strategy, mentor engineers, and contribute to the upstream kernel while guiding cross-organizational initiatives.

The role focuses on PCIe device drivers and low-latency networking for planet-scale infrastructure, with opportunities to manage a small team and shape the roadmap for Google Cloud and beyond.