Software Engineer, Networking (Rust)

About Tailscale 

Tailscale is building the new Internet 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.

Job Description

We’re seeking a highly skilled and motivated 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 comfortably work asynchronously are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team of engineers to design, build, test, and document core networking software components, with a strong emphasis on the Tailscale client for IoT applications.
• Lead the design and implementation of networking features in areas such as our control plane, relay infrastructure, and networking protocols, specifically tailored for embedded systems and resource-constrained environments.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex networking issues across different environments, including customer networks and cloud infrastructure.
• 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.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing.
• Drive the adoption of Rust best practices within the team, including code reviews, tooling, and testing.
• Contribute to the design and architecture of the IoT-specific Tailscale client.
• Evaluate and integrate relevant third-party libraries and tools.

What We Are Looking For

• Expert-level proficiency in Rust, with a proven track record of building and deploying production-quality software.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers in Rust and drive the adoption of Rust best practices.
• Experience integrating with foreign systems written in Go, C++ or C
• Significant experience with networking software and diagnosing networking issues.
• Deep understanding of networking concepts, including IP addressing, routing, NAT traversal, and VPN technologies.
• Experience with distributed systems, particularly those involving real-time communication and high availability.
• Familiarity with embedded systems development and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is a plus.
• Flexibility to adjust to the dynamic nature of a startup.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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 Ranges$181,000—$240,000 USD

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!

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 compensati