Network Engineer, Google Distributed Cloud Labs

Socket.dev; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Senior Network Engineer for the GDC Labs team to architect, implement, and maintain scalable network infrastructure across multiple lab sites. You will lead network projects, resolve complex issues, and mentor engineers, owning critical network domains with autonomy.

The role emphasizes secure, reliable, and efficient network operations, including collaboration with MSCA and cloud services, and responsibility for high-availability lab networks and peering arrangements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Engineering.
• 10 years of experience with network routing protocols and troubleshooting with network equipment providers.
• Experience with programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python.
• Experience with network architecture, administration, capacity planning, and configuration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of robust, scalable, and secure network architectures within GDC lab environments, spanning multiple physical locations.
• Drive the deployment, configuration, and management of multi-vendor network hardware and software, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto Networks).
• Own and manage core lab network services, including layer 2/3 networking, firewalls, network security policies, and out-of-band management infrastructure. Design and manage external network connectivity solutions, including gTransit and other internet peering.
• Act as the technical lead for medium to large network projects.
• Diagnose and resolve complex, end-to-end network issues, often requiring in-depth analysis and cross-team collaboration. Define and uphold network standards, best practices, and documentation for the lab environments.

Skills

Network routing protocols

C/C++/Go/Python

Network architecture

Network administration

Capacity planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Cisco

Juniper

Arista

Palo Alto Networks

VMware

Kubernetes

Job description

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience with network routing protocols, design and troubleshooting, with network equipment providers.
• Experience in one or more programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python.
• Experience with network architecture, network administration, network capacity planning, network configuration.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with planning and designing networks (e.g., multiple sites, multiple products, etc.).
• Experience with data center architecture, VMware, Kubernetes.

About the job:

Google is proud to boast a network that provides service to millions of Internet users around the world. The Network Engineering team is responsible for operating that network reliably and at scale. As a member of the team, you have a direct impact on design and feature enhancements to keep our systems running smoothly. You also ensure that network operations are safe and efficient by monitoring network performance, coordinating planned maintenance, adjusting hardware components and responding to network connectivity issues. Google's complex network generates a constant stream of challenges which require you to continually be innovative with an evolving set of technologies. Keeping the network reliable ensures that our users stay connected with our suite of applications, products and services.

As a Senior Network Engineer on the GDC Labs team, you will be instrumental in architecting, implementing, and maintaining the network infrastructure crucial for the entire life cycle of GDC products. You will be expected to lead network projects, solve ambiguous technical issues, and contribute to the direction of our lab network designs. At this level, you will operate with significant autonomy, take ownership of critical network domains, and provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers.

The ML, Systems, & Cloud AI (MSCA) organization at Google designs, implements, and manages the hardware, software, machine learning, and systems infrastructure for all Google services (Search, YouTube, etc.) and Google Cloud. Our end users are Googlers, Cloud customers and the billions of people who use Google services around the world.

We prioritize security, efficiency, and reliability across everything we do - from developing our latest TPUs to running a global network, while driving towards shaping the future of hyperscale computing. Our global impact spans software and hardware, including Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, the leading AI platform for bringing Gemini models to enterprise customers.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $176000 - $256000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of robust, scalable, and secure network architectures within GDC lab environments, spanning multiple physical locations.
• Drive the deployment, configuration, and management of multi-vendor network hardware and software, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto Networks).
• Own and manage core lab network services, including layer 2/3 networking, firewalls, network security policies, and out-of-band management infrastructure. Design and manage external network connectivity solutions, including gTransit and other internet peering.
• Act as the technical lead for medium to large network projects.
• Diagnose and resolve complex, end-to-end network issues, often requiring in-depth analysis and cross-team collaboration. Define and uphold network standards, best practices, and documentation for the lab environments.