Principal Software Engineer - Linux Kernel

Shape the Future of Performance at Akamai

As a Principal Software Engineer on our Linux Performance team, you will improve the performance and efficiency of Akamai’s Intelligent Platform across virtualized and bare metal environments.

• Analyze system performance, identify problems, design, develop, and implement solutions
• Extend metrics collection and create visualizations to better quantify system performance
• Build tooling to help identify performance problems faster
• Train other Akamai engineers to identify performance issues
• Work with teams across the company to implement solutions

• 12 years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Extensive programming experience in C, with additional experience in Python, Bash, or Perl
• Deep understanding of the Linux kernel and computer system architectures
• Experience with virtualization technologies (Qemu, KVM) and hardware offload technologies (VDPA, DPDK, SR‑IOV)
• Experience with performance analysis tools such as Linux perf, bcc tools, BPF, etc.
• Experience with concurrent programming, data structures, algorithms, and complexity analysis
• Proficiency with network protocols, including IP, IPv6, TCP, UDP

Akamai offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. For US‑based candidates the base salary ranges from $169,300 to $304,700 per year, with additional incentive compensation, equity awards, and an employee stock purchase plan. Benefits include healthcare, a 401(k) savings plan, company holidays, paid time off, sick time, family‑friendly benefits such as parental leave, and an employee assistance program focusing on mental and financial wellness.