Software Engineer, Networking (Features) at Tailscale

Matcha; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 181,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive environment

Competitive compensation

Group benefits

Remote first

Retirement contributions

Team retreats

Professional development

Paid time off

Home office stipend

Parental leave

Job summary

Tailscale is hiring a Software Engineer, Networking (Features) for remote work in the United States. You will develop networking features, contribute to client and backend services, and own product lifecycle from coding to strategy.

The role emphasizes collaboration with designers and product managers, and remote-friendly execution in a fast-paced environment. We value strong knowledge of networking, OS internals, Go, and distributed systems, with a focus on security and scalability.

Qualifications

• Experience with application-layer networking concepts and distributed components (proxies, connectors, overlay routing).
• Deep knowledge of OS networking internals: sockets, routing tables, packet filtering.
• Proficiency with Go (Golang) for engineering tasks.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, concurrency, and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and document core networking software components with a team.
• Own running services, with observability, incident response, and customer escalations.
• Analyze and improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of networking systems.
• Apply security-first mindset to design and implementation of networking components.

Skills

Networking concepts

Distributed components

Go (Golang)

Distributed systems

SQL

Communication skills

Collaboration

Startup mindset

Job description

Software Engineer, Networking (Features)

Remote (United States)

Thank you for considering Tailscale. If this job description resonates with you, please apply. Frequently cited statistics show that people who identify with historically marginalized groups are likely to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to help us break that statistic!

About Tailscale

Tailscale is making safe connection effortless by delivering software that makes it easy to securely interconnect people and their devices, no matter where they are. From hobbyists to multinational corporations, teams of every size use Tailscale each day to protect their networks, share access to internal tools, and more. We're building a future for the Internet that's easy, sensible, and safe, like it used to be. Founded in 2019 and fully distributed, we're backed by Accel, CRV, Insight, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital.

About the Role

We’re seeking a skilled and diligent full-time Software Engineer to join our growing team. You will work as part of the engineering team to:

• Develop the Tailscale product, contributing to both open-source client code and related backend services, with an emphasis on networking features and optimizations
• Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle, from writing code to product ideation and strategic decision-making
• Work with UX/UI designers and product managers to shape features that enhance networking capabilities

Because we’re an early-stage and fully remote company, we’re looking for a strongly motivated individual who can help move the product forward. The ability to think on your feet, collaborate with highly technical teams, and comfort working asynchronously are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team of engineers to design, build, test, and document core networking software components.
• Exhibit ownership over the running services that comprise Tailscale’s product by building for observability, participating in incident response, and fielding customer support escalations.
• Analyze and improve the efficiency, scalability, and stability of networking systems and resources.
• Bring a security-first mindset to both design and implementation, ensuring robust and secure networking components.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience implementing application-layer networking concepts and distributed components, such as proxies, connectors, and overlay routing, to enable seamless connectivity.
• Deep knowledge of operating system-level networking internals, including socket programming, routing tables, and packet filtering primitives.
• Professional experience with Go (Golang)
• Experience designing and maintaining distributed systems, with a solid understanding of concurrency (e.g., multithreading, race conditions, memory management, synchronization primitives) and scalability.
• Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and writing efficient SQL queries.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Strong collaborative mindset—you actively give and process constructive feedback and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Startup-ready flexibility, with the adaptability to pivot and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

As a company, we strive to maintain fair and equitable compensation practices within our team across all roles and all levels. Tailscale's compensation package includes base salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits. The salary range displayed on each job posting represents the target range for a new hire's base salary. Individual offers may vary based on experience and skill set.

US Pay Range

$181,000 - $226,000 USD

What We Offer

• An inclusive, flexible environment where you can be your authentic self. We recognize the impact of diverse voices and backgrounds on the growth of our people, product, and company. And that flexibility in how and when you work empowers our team to integrate work and life.
• A competitive total compensation package. This includes a base salary, an equity incentive plan and variable commission (for quota-based roles).
• Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period. Take advantage of coverage for health, vision, dental, and more for you and your family!
• Remote first company—most of our teams work fully remotely. Enjoy a change of scenery wherever you can get wifi, participate in virtual and in-person social events, and leverage our corporate co-working program to visit WeWork (or other similar spaces near you). Some roles require in-office collaboration depending on team needs, which will be clearly noted in the job description.
• Employer-funded retirement contributions. Tailscale will match your retirement contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum annual employer contribution equal to 0.75% of your eligible compensation.
• Connect with other Tailscalars IRL. Attend our annual company retreat, participate in team off-sites, and collaborate in person with teammates across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. We support intentional in-person connection through team travel and distributed collaboration.
• Support for your personal and professional development. Grow your career thoughtfully with $1500 USD annually for professional development, or take advantage of mentorship, coaching, and internal promotion opportunities.
• Paid time off and a healthy work-life integration.Our flexible, paid time off program supports you for any situation life throws your way, whether moving homes or travelling the world!
• A build-your-own home office setup. You choose your own company-owned laptop (Mac or PC), receive a monthly home internet reimbursement, and $500 USD to customize your workstation to make it your own.
• Paid parental leave program. We care about your life outside of work and encourage new parents to take advantage of parental leave top-ups (20 weeks for birthing parents, 16 weeks for non-birthing parents).

Tailscale is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring process. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process or related to any aspect of this role, please contact your recruiter.

Our hiring process uses AI-assisted tools to help screen and assess candidates. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Please be aware that legitimate emails from Tailscale's talent team will only originate from @tailscale.com, @greenhouse.io, and @interviews.modernloop.io email addresses. For more information about protecting yourself from impersonators and scams, please visit https://tailscale.com/scam-awareness.

Please note, you must reside in the United States to be considered for this position. We are not currently providing relocation support for this role. If you intended to apply for employment in another country where we are hiring, please return to our careers page and apply to the correct country’s job post for this role.

Please note, you must legally be able to work in the United States to be considered for this position. We are not currently able to provide immigration support for this role. If you intended to apply for employment in another country where we are hiring, please return to our careers page and apply to the correct country’s job post for this role.

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Tailscale’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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