Software Engineer, Networking – Dataplane

Tailscale

Software Engineer building secure client networking software for Tailscale’s connectivity platform. Improving connectivity, performance, and reliability across distributed customer networks.

Posted 9/10/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $163,000 - $226,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in network engineering, including routing, VPNs, and IP address management, while applying security-centric architecture and coding practices. Proficient in Go and experienced in optimizing performance for large-scale distributed systems.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Networking Software DiagnosisNetwork EngineeringProficiency In GoConcurrent ProgrammingLarge-Scale Distributed Systems

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Networking SoftwareRoutingVPNsIP Address ManagementNAT TraversalGoCC++RustPerformance Optimization

Soft Skills

Constructive FeedbackIndependent WorkFlexibilityWritten CommunicationVerbal Communication

Industry Keywords

Client ConnectivityNetwork ProtocolsSecurity-Centric ArchitectureOpen-Source ContributionCustomer Network Integrations

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

C++Distributed SystemsGoRust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Contribute to Tailscale’s core client connectivity features
Evolve connectivity between clients, subnet routers, exit nodes, and customer network integrations
Provide architectural insights and resolve escalated customer network issues
Collaborate with product management and engineering to develop scalable, maintainable network solutions
Design, build, test, and document client-side networking software
Integrate industry network protocols with Tailscale’s designs and frameworks
Apply security-centric architecture and coding practices
Optimize software performance, reliability, and scale across platforms and hardware
Support customer success teams with critical network escalations
Engage with the open-source community and contribute to relevant projects

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience with networking software and diagnosing networking issues
Comprehensive understanding of network engineering, including routing, VPNs, IP address management, and NAT traversal
Proficiency in Go or another low-level language such as C, C++, or Rust
Strong understanding of concurrent programming and performance optimization techniques
Ability to work with large-scale distributed systems is highly desirable
Knowledge of low-level operating-system network stacks is highly desirable
Ability to give and process constructive feedback and work independently
Flexibility to adjust to the dynamic nature of a startup
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity incentive plan
Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits with no waiting period
Flexible remote-first work environment
Virtual and in-person social events
Corporate co-working program
Employer-funded retirement contributions matching employee contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to 0.75% of eligible compensation annually
Annual company retreat and team off-sites
$1,500 USD annually for professional development
Mentorship, coaching, and internal promotion opportunities
Flexible paid time off
Company-owned laptop (Mac or PC)
Monthly home internet reimbursement
$500 USD home office workstation customization allowance
Paid parental leave top-ups: 20 weeks for birthing parents and 16 weeks for non-birthing parents
Variable commission for quota-based roles