Software Engineer, Unix​/Linux

Digital Ocean is seeking a Staff Software Engineer passionate about Linux kernel development. This high-level technical leadership role focuses on designing, optimizing, and maintaining Linux kernels for the company's compute and GPU fleets, ensuring system performance, resiliency, and security across the cloud infrastructure.

• Optimize kernels for performance and resiliency across Digital Ocean's fleet for storage, networking, and virtualization
• Drive cross-functional engineering initiatives and influence hardware roadmaps without direct authority
• Diagnose and resolve kernel issues in production environments, including virtual machine downtime and performance bottlenecks
• Deliver critical kernel fixes and security mitigations with kernel live patches, and contribute changes upstream to the Linux kernel community
• Lead initiatives to enhance shared infrastructure by tuning for low latency and high throughput, implementing monitoring and alerting, and mentoring senior engineers

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Computer/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience
• Experience maintaining Linux kernels for large-scale cloud infrastructure with deep understanding of operating system internals
• Broad knowledge of the Linux kernel and kernel subsystems, with demonstrated experience in kernel patching and debugging
• Expertise in C/C++ programming and one or more scripting languages, with familiarity of compiler tool chains and build environments
• Familiarity with  and/or ARM architectures, Linux virtualization using KVM and QEMU, and Linux kernel security mechanisms

• Experience contributing patches to the upstream Linux kernel community
• General understanding of Linux kernel security mechanisms and common security concepts

Salary range $191,200–$239,000; eligible for bonus based on company and individual performance; equity compensation including grants upon hire and Employee Stock Purchase Program participation; benefits include Employee Assistance Program, flexible time off, conference and training reimbursement, and Linked In Learning access