Linux Kernel Networking Architect & PCIe Lead

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

Job summary

Google Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to own and advance Linux kernel networking capabilities, drive high-throughput, low-latency solutions, and mentor a distributed engineering team. The role centers on architectural strategy, upstream contributions, and cross-team coordination within Google’s vast infrastructure.

Ideal candidates bring extensive C++ and systems programming experience, deep kernel networking expertise, and a track record of delivering scalable

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 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.

Skills

C++

Linux kernel internals

Distributed systems

Systems programming

Software architecture

PCIe device drivers

Kernel networking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

PCI Express (PCIe) interfaces

Job description

Google Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to own and advance Linux kernel networking capabilities, drive high-throughput, low-latency solutions, and mentor a distributed engineering team. The role centers on architectural strategy, upstream contributions, and cross-team coordination within Google’s vast infrastructure.

Ideal candidates bring extensive C++ and systems programming experience, deep kernel networking expertise, and a track record of delivering scalable