Prepin
Log in
Google

engineering opportunity

Staff Software Engineer, Linux Networking

The Staff Software Engineer will lead the Linux Kernel Networking team in designing and maintaining high-performance networking protocols for planet-scale infrastructure. They will also mentor engineers, drive cross-organizational initiatives, and contribute directly to upstream kernel development.

Sunnyvale, California, United StatesonsiteFULL_TIME

Posted

About the role

What will you do at Google?

MINIMUM 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related

technical field.

* 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.

* 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams

and setting technical direction.

* 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving

cross-functional, or cross-business projects.

* Experience with PCI Express (PCIe) interfaces, related device driver

development, and advanced network protocols or kernel-level networking

performance optimization.

ABOUT THE JOB:

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change

how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one

another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend

well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from

all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale

system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence,

natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is

growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project

critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as

you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be

versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new

problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

The Linux Kernel Networking team within CoreOS builds and maintains the secure,

high-performance stack powering Google's global infrastructure and Google Cloud.

Managing all internet-facing traffic, production traffic, and massive AI/ML data

pipelines, our work delivers planet-scale impact across millions of machines. We

follow an "upstream first" philosophy and guide the community as a major

contributor to Linux TCP/IP.

In this role, you will

  • design, optimize, and maintain core kernel networking
  • protocols for latency-sensitive and high-throughput workloads. In addition to
  • technical execution, you will direct cross-organizational initiatives, mentor
  • engineers across career stages, contribute directly to the upstream kernel, and
  • have the opportunity to manage a small team.The AI and Infrastructure team is
  • redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough
  • capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled
  • scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers,
  • Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.
  • We're behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of
  • AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and
  • providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future.
  • From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading
  • hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs,
  • Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations,
  • systems research, and much more.Individual pay is determined by factors
  • including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
  • US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits
  • Learn more about benefits at Google
  • [https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/benefits/].
  • 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.

Which skills does this role require?

C++CLinux KernelNetworking ProtocolsSystem ArchitectureDevice Driver DevelopmentDistributed SystemsTCP/IPLatency OptimizationHigh-throughput ComputingMentoringInfrastructure DesignDevice DriversInfrastructureCloud ComputingLatencyHigh-throughputMentorshipAI/MLKernel DevelopmentSoftware EngineeringGoogle CloudCoreOSUpstream KernelGCPMachine LearningProduct Strategy

Make your next move

Build a shortlist and prepare

Identify the requirements you can demonstrate, then choose examples from your work to discuss with the hiring team.

Review the responsibilities and requirements before adding an opening to your shortlist.

Role information can change. Confirm current details on the original application page.

Product

AI Candidate AgentCompaniesBrowse JobsDeep ProfileSkill AssessmentOpportunity Matching
Prepin.ai

© 2026 Prepin | All rights reserved.