Technical Lead, Linux Kernel Networking

Google; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead the Linux Kernel Networking team in Sunnyvale, CA. This advanced role focuses on designing and delivering high-throughput kernel networking solutions and PCIe drivers for Google's massive-scale infrastructure.

The position requires deep expertise in C/C++, systems programming, and network performance optimization, with opportunities to mentor engineers and influence upstream kernel work across cross-functional teams.

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++ programming

Systems programming

Linux kernel

Large-scale systems

Software design

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

PCI Express (PCIe)

Device drivers

Kernel networking

Job description

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead the Linux Kernel Networking team in Sunnyvale, CA. This advanced role focuses on designing and delivering high-throughput kernel networking solutions and PCIe drivers for Google's massive-scale infrastructure.

The position requires deep expertise in C/C++, systems programming, and network performance optimization, with opportunities to mentor engineers and influence upstream kernel work across cross-functional teams.