Staff Engineer, Edge Systems Efficiency

Fastly; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 211,370 - 253,644; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Flexible vacation policy

Job summary

Fastly in Denver is looking for a Staff Software Engineer to develop software that enhances the efficiency of its edge platform. This position involves working from the Linux kernel to core systems, implementing new protocols, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of engineering experience, significant coding expertise in C, C++, or Rust, and a collaborative mindset. The role offers flexibility with a hybrid work model and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to design and implement reliable, scalable, low-latency systems.
• Significant production experience with coding in C, C++, and/or Rust.
• Experience with Linux systems and network programming.

Responsibilities

• Work across layers from the Linux kernel to core edge systems.
• Implement performance improvements across the Fastly platform.
• Lead lifecycle projects in support of Fastly’s edge systems.

Skills

C

Rust

Linux systems

Network programming

Collaboration

Education

7+ years of domain-relevant experience

Tools

Git

Compilers

Job description

Staff Software Engineer - Edge Systems

The Edge Systems Team develops software that interacts with the full systems stack of Fastly’s infrastructure, from the kernel up to core systems software. Projects range from implementing new protocols, optimizing existing systems, routing among the edge nodes, designing distributed systems, and more. We expect this position to focus on enhancing the overall efficiency of our edge platform. We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer passionate about applying their talents to make the Internet fast and reliable.

What You’ll Do

• Work across layers from the Linux kernel to core edge systems such as Varnish and WebAssembly.
• Use a data‑driven approach to identify and implement performance and efficiency improvements across the Fastly platform.
• Write, test, and deploy C, Rust, and Go code.
• Enhance, maintain and optimize network protocols such as TCP and QUIC for performance and efficiency.
• Lead full lifecycle projects from design to deployment in support of Fastly’s edge systems.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders to shape a clear technical roadmap—prioritizing key initiatives and proactively identifying and mitigating risks—to deploy, support, troubleshoot, and deliver performance and efficiency improvements.
• Mentor and support the professional growth of engineers, fostering a culture of respect, knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration within the team.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven ability to design and implement reliable, scalable, low‑latency systems. Most Staff Engineers at Fastly have at least 7 years of domain‑relevant engineering experience.
• Significant production experience with coding in C, C++, and/or Rust.
• Experience with Linux systems and network programming.
• Hands‑on experience in building distributed infrastructure and maintaining it over time.
• Advanced knowledge of Linux as a development environment: git, compilers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and comprehensive documentation.
• A collaborative mindset with experience working across cross‑functional teams, fostering a culture of respect, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
• Proven ability to mentor and support the growth of engineers, both within a specific area of expertise and more broadly.

We’ll Be Super Impressed If You Have Experience in Any of These

• Web/Internet protocols such as TCP, HTTP, TLS, DNS, QUIC.
• Linux kernel.
• Ability to systematically profile and benchmark complex cross‑layer distributed systems.
• Comfortable working in a geographically distributed team and highly available environments.

Work Hours

This position will require you to be available during core business hours and occasionally nights and weekends as required for on‑call support.

Work Location(s) & Travel Requirements

This position is open to the following preferred office locations:

• San Francisco, CA
• Denver, CO
• New York, NY

Fastly currently embraces a largely hybrid model for most roles, allowing employees flexibility to split their time between the office and home. There is a strong preference for hybrid near a local office. However, we may be willing to consider remote candidates within the US and Canada. This position may require travel as required by your role or requested by your manager.

Salary

If hired in the United States, the estimated salary range for this position is $211,370 to $253,644. Starting salary may vary based on permissible, non‑discriminatory factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and location. This role may be eligible to participate in Fastly’s equity and discretionary bonus programs.

Benefits

Fastly offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; family planning, mental health support; an Employee Assistance Program; Life, Disability, and Accident insurance; a Flexible Vacation policy; up to 18 days of accrued paid sick leave; 401(k) with company match; and an Employee Stock Purchase Program. For 2026, we offer 11 paid local holidays and 12 paid company wellness days.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Fastly is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a safe and welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, family or parental status, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and federal or state disability laws, Fastly will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your Recruiter, or the Fastly Employee Relations team at [e-mail] or 501‑287‑4901.

Fastly collects and processes personal data submitted by job applicants in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Please see our privacy notice for job applicants.