At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing Linux team and drive innovative kernel development.
- Company: Join Cloudflare, a leader in tech with a focus on collaboration and open-source.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the tech world while mentoring future engineers.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering management with expertise in Linux Kernel and automation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Available Locations: London, UK
What You’ll Do
- Lead and Mentor: Manage a high‑performing team of kernel and systems engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration‑first and continuous knowledge sharing both internally and with the global open‑source community.
- Own the OS Lifecycle: Oversee the end‑to‑end delivery of the Linux Kernel and core OS components. Your goal is a fully automated continuous‑delivery pipeline that moves from merge to 100% production in less than 30 days.
- Drive Technical Vision: Steer the Cloudflare kernel development roadmap, balancing cutting‑edge features with production stability, security, and performance.
- Upstream Advocacy: Promote a minimal‑patch philosophy by ensuring your team is a top contributor to the Linux Kernel and supporting engineers to become upstream maintainers for critical subsystems.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Act as a consultant to hardware and service teams, helping onboard new hardware and optimize workloads for our OS, while leading a virtual‑team environment that invites any engineer at Cloudflare to contribute to the kernel.
- Innovate Debugging: Tackle seemingly impossible kernel‑level debugging challenges by leading the development of automated systems that collect critical telemetry when a system crashes, even when traditional debuggers cannot run.
- Measure Success: Use DORA metrics and team‑specific capabilities—such as time‑to‑fix a kernel issue and upstream commit volume—to track and improve team impact.
What You’ll Bring
- Systems Leadership: 5+ years of experience managing engineering teams, ideally in low‑level systems, kernel development, or large‑scale infrastructure environments.
- Low‑Level Expertise: A deep understanding of Linux Kernel internals, x86/ARM architecture, and OS design fundamentals, comfortable discussing memory management, schedulers, and network stacks.
- Automation Mindset: Experience building or managing CI/CD pipelines for foundational software and believing that toil is a bug while automation is a feature.
- Open Source Pedigree: A proven track record of engaging with the open‑source community and navigating upstreaming dynamics effectively.
- Operational Empathy: Understanding of the unique challenges of a global reboot‑limited production environment, prioritizing stability, and experience with pre‑production QA and synthetic workload evaluation.
- Strategic Communication: Ability to translate complex kernel‑level obstacles into actionable business insights for stakeholders across the company.
- Resilience: Ability to lead a team through difficult challenges with a pragmatic, solution‑oriented mindset.
Cloudflare is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and place great value in both diversity and inclusiveness. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to their, or any other person's, perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. We are an AA/Veterans/Disabled Employer. Cloudflare provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, please contact us via e‑mail at hr@cloudflare.com or via mail at 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107.
Engineering Manager, Linux Team employer: Cloudflare Area 1 Security
Cloudflare is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for mentorship and engagement with the global open-source community, ensuring that our team members are at the forefront of technology. Our inclusive culture values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, making Cloudflare a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
Contact Details:
Cloudflare Area 1 Security Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager, Linux Team
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Engineering Manager role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Share your projects or contributions to open-source communities. This will not only showcase your expertise but also show your passion for Linux and kernel development.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Linux Kernel internals and CI/CD pipelines. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as communication is key in this role!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager, Linux Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, especially in kernel development and systems engineering, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about Linux and open-source contributions. Share specific examples of how you've driven technical vision or led teams through challenges, so we can see your personality shine through.
Showcase Your Open Source Involvement:If you’ve contributed to the Linux Kernel or any other open-source projects, make sure to mention it! We love seeing candidates who are active in the community and understand the dynamics of upstreaming.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cloudflare Area 1 Security
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Linux Kernel internals and low-level systems knowledge. Be ready to discuss memory management, schedulers, and network stacks in detail. This is your chance to showcase your expertise, so don’t hold back!
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Highlight your experience in fostering collaboration and mentoring team members. They’ll want to see that you can lead a high-performing team effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Automation Mindset
Be ready to talk about your experience with CI/CD pipelines and how you’ve approached automation in your previous roles. Share specific instances where you’ve turned toil into features, as this aligns perfectly with their values.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex technical challenges into business insights. You’ll need to demonstrate your strategic communication skills, especially when discussing kernel-level obstacles. Make it relatable and actionable for stakeholders.
