# Software Engineer, Networking

**Company:** [Tailscale](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/tailscale)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $163k – $226k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Go, Networking, Distributed Systems, Socket Programming, Routing Tables, Packet Filtering, Postgres, MySQL, SQL, Concurrency
**Posted:** 2026-06-17

> Build and maintain Tailscale's networking features and distributed systems. Own core networking components, observability, and incident response for a remote-first company.

## Job Description

## Key Responsibilities
- Work as part of a team of engineers to design, build, test, and document core networking software components.
- 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.

## Requirements
- Proven experience implementing application-layer networking concepts and distributed components, such as proxies, connectors, and overlay routing, to enable seamless connectivity.
- Deep knowledge of operating system-level networking internals, including socket programming, routing tables, and packet filtering primitives.
- Professional experience with Go (Golang)
- Experience designing and maintaining distributed systems, with a solid understanding of concurrency (e.g., multithreading, race conditions, memory management, synchronization primitives) and scalability.
- Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and writing efficient SQL queries.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
- Strong collaborative mindset—you actively give and process constructive feedback and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Startup-ready flexibility, with the adaptability to pivot and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

## What We Offer
- Competitive total compensation package including base salary, equity incentive plan, and variable commission.
- Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period (health, vision, dental).
- Remote-first company with annual company retreat and team off-sites.
- $1500 USD annually for professional development.
- Flexible paid time off.
- Build-your-own home office setup with company laptop, monthly home internet reimbursement, and $1000 USD workstation budget.
- Generous parental leave program with top-ups for up to 26 weeks.

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