About Tailscale
Tailscale is building the new Internet by delivering software that makes it easy to securely interconnect people and their devices, no matter where they are. From hobbyists to multinational corporations, teams of every size use Tailscale each day to protect their networks, share access to internal tools, and more. We're building a future for the Internet that's easy, sensible, and safe, like it used to be. Founded in 2019 and fully distributed, we're backed by Accel, CRV, Insight, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital.
We’re seeking a skilled and diligent full-time Software Engineer to join our growing team. You will work as part of the engineering team to:
- Utilize extensive network engineering knowledge coupled with software development and SRE/DevOps proficiency to design, construct, and oversee Tailscale’s global Funnel and DERP relay infrastructure.
- Promote operational excellence and automation to guarantee the scalability, high availability, and performance of hosted services.
- Offer architectural guidance and troubleshoot escalated networking problems for customers to address intricate connectivity issues.
- Partner with internal engineering and product groups to advance hosted services and clients, ensuring updates provide broad value to our customer base.
- Support network connectivity capabilities and features by contributing to the open-source client code and developing the Tailscale product dataplane.
Because we’re an early-stage and fully remote company, we’re looking for a strongly motivated individual who can help move the product forward. The ability to think on your feet, collaborate with highly technical teams, and comfort working asynchronously are essential.
Key Responsibilities- Design, construct, evaluate, and provide documentation for networking features, connectivity solutions, and the open-source client-code network dataplane.
- Enhance and iterate on product capabilities, specifically focusing on Funnel and DERP relay infrastructures and their associated network protocols.
- Investigate and rectify complex, escalated network difficulties encountered across diverse technical environments.
- Maintain accountability for Tailscale's live services by integrating observability, engaging in incident management, and managing technical support escalations.
- Evaluate and boost the performance, reliability, and scaling capabilities of our networking resources and systems.
- Apply a security-centric approach to every stage of development, from initial design to final implementation of networking components.
- Proven track record in networking software development and troubleshooting
- Expertise in core networking principles such as VPNs, NAT traversal, routing, and IP addressing
- Experience with distributed systems, maintaining global-scale services, and applying SRE & DevOps methodologies
- Most of the systems are developed in the Go programming language. Experience with Go is highly desired.
- Strong interpersonal skills for exchanging constructive feedback and the autonomy to work solo
- Adaptability to thrive within a fast-paced startup environment
- Superior communication abilities, both in writing and speaking
As a company, we strive to maintain fair and equitable compensation practices within our team across all roles and all levels. Tailscale's compensation package includes base salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits. The salary range displayed on each job posting represents the target range for a new hire's base salary. Individual offers may vary based on experience and skill set.
Frequently cited statistics show that people who identify with historically marginalized groups are likely to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to help us break that statistic!
What We Offer
- An inclusive, flexible environment where you can be your authentic self. We recognize the impact of diverse voices and backgrounds on the growth of our people, product, and company. And that flexibility in how and when you work empowers our team to integrate work and life.
- A competitive total compensation package. This includes a base salary, an equity incentive plan and variable commission (for quota-based roles).
- Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period. Take advantage of coverage for health, vision, dental, and more for you and your family!
- Remote first company—most of our teams work fully remotely. Enjoy a change of scenery wherever you can get wifi, participate in virtual and in-person social events, and leverage our corporate co-working program to visit WeWork (or other similar spaces near you). Some roles require in-office collaboration depending on team needs, which will be clearly noted in the job description.
- Employer-funded retirement contributions. Tailscale will match your retirement contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum annual employer contribution equal to 0.75% of your eligible compensation.
- Connect with other Tailscalars IRL. Attend our annual company retreat, participate in team off-sites, and collaborate in person with teammates across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. We support intentional in-person connection through team travel and distributed collaboration.
- Support for your personal and professional development. Grow your career thoughtfully with $1500 USD annually for professional development, or take advantage of mentorship, coaching, and internal promotion opportunities.
- Paid time off and a healthy work-life integration. Our flexible, paid time off program supports you for any situation life throws your way, whether moving homes or travelling the world!
- A build-your-own home office setup. You choose your own company-owned laptop (Mac or PC), receive a monthly home internet reimbursement, and $500 USD to customize your workstation to make it your own.
- Paid parental leave program. We care about your life outside of work and encourage new parents to take advantage of parental leave top-ups (20 weeks for birthing parents, 16 weeks for non-birthing parents).
Tailscale is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring process. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process or related to any aspect of this role, please contact your recruiter.
Our hiring process uses AI-assisted tools to help screen and assess candidates. All hiring decisions are made by people.
Please be aware that legitimate emails from Tailscale's talent team will only originate from @tailscale.com, @greenhouse.io, and @interviews.modernloop.io email addresses. For more information about protecting yourself from impersonators and scams, please visit https://tailscale.com/scam-awareness.
Skills Required
- Proven experience in networking software development and troubleshooting
- Expertise in VPNs, NAT traversal, routing, and IP addressing
- Experience with distributed systems and operating global-scale services
- Experience applying SRE and DevOps methodologies (observability, incident management)
- Experience contributing to or maintaining open-source client code and network dataplane
- Experience with the Go programming language
- Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and ability to work autonomously
- Security-minded approach to design and implementation
Tailscale Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Tailscale and has not been reviewed or approved by Tailscale.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is framed as market-competitive across functions and geographies, with compensation bands and ranges frequently described in concrete terms. Salary-range transparency is also emphasized through openly posted ranges and an “equitable total rewards” positioning.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is positioned as flexible, with paid holidays and an extended year-end closure window highlighted. This breadth is presented as enabling meaningful disconnect time rather than narrowly defined PTO only.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is described as substantial, including top-ups for an extended period. Family-inclusive health benefits with immediate eligibility are also positioned as supportive for dependents.
Tailscale Insights
What We Do
For teams who want secure, private networks without weeks of setup and configuration, Tailscale makes it easy. Unlike existing corporate VPNs, Tailscale has no upfront cost, minimal latency, and works with their existing services.
