Senior Staff Software Engineer, Kernel Security and Virtualization

Senior Staff Software Engineer, Kernel Security and Virtualization corporate_fare Google place Sunnyvale, CA, USA bar_chart Advanced Advanced Experience owning outcomes and decision making, solving ambiguous problems and influencing stakeholders; deep expertise in domain.

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience. 8 years of experience programming in C++. 5 years of experience with design and architecture, and testing or launching software products. Experience in Security, Virtual Machine Monitor, and Kernel.

Preferred qualifications:

Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms. 5 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction. 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving cross-functional, or cross-business projects. Experience with Linux Kernel. About the job Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google's needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward. As the Team Lead (TL) for Kernel Security and Virtualization, you will be responsible for securing the very foundation of Google's production platform. You would be responsible for the security of our kernel and virtualization layers—a domain recognized as an Alphabet-level infrastructure risk. You will pioneer the architecture of next-generation isolation frameworks and drive a cross-company strategy to harden our core compute infrastructure against the most sophisticated threats. This role demands exceptional expertise in low-level systems security, the ability to lead through influence at the highest levels, and the technical gravity to secure the entire Google Cloud and Technical Infrastructure portfolio. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $262,000-$365,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about . Responsibilities Define and drive the multi-year technical road map for Linux kernel hardening and virtualization security. Architect systemic hardening of frameworks to prevent lateral movement and privilege escalation across the global production fleet. Design and deploy large-scale software solutions, pioneering new virtualization frameworks and open-source technologies to achieve secure, high-performance compute and robust isolation boundaries. Lead responses to critical kernel Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) and CPU vulnerabilities. Oversee the security patch life-cycle and release management to ensure the integrity of core virtualization and isolation layers. Partner with the technical stakeholders to align organizational goals. Drive the adoption of hardened standards and tools across the Cloud organization to ensure optimal security outcomes. Coach a distributed team of engineers, cultivating the competency in low-level security and kernel engineering to develop the next generation of technical leaders.