Senior Rust Software Engineer in London

Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default. At Proton, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. Since our inception in 2014, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free and open-source technology to millions worldwide, ensuring access to privacy, security, and freedom online. Our journey began with Proton Mail, the largest secure email service globally, and has since expanded to include Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These tools empower individuals and organizations to take control of their personal data, break away from Big Tech’s invasive practices, and defeat censorship.

Our work impacts hundreds of millions of lives, from activists on the front lines defending freedom to leaders in governments protecting sensitive information. In some cases, Proton’s services have even been instrumental in saving lives by enabling secure and private communications in high-risk situations. Proton is a profitable company that does not rely upon VC funding, supporting over 100 million user accounts with a growing team of over 500 people from over 50 different countries.

We value intelligence, learning potential, and ambition in our hiring process. Adaptability is key as we navigate uncharted territories and redefine how business is conducted online. Hiring at Proton is highly selective, with less than 1% of candidates hired. You will have the opportunity to work with many of the world’s top minds in their fields. We have a global mindset and big ambitions but remain a start-up at heart. We value empowerment and flexibility and keep our structure flat to keep moving fast and avoid unnecessary politics.

The team: We are looking for experienced Rust Engineers to join us across the board. We are currently hiring for the Payments and Drive teams. The goal of the Payments team is to enable revenue generation for the entire Proton ecosystem. This comes in the form of introducing new payment methods for users to architecting our client libraries. This team has impact across all of Proton’s products and is critical to the success of the business as a whole. Drive Foundation is the backbone of Proton Drive. We develop the Proton Drive SDKs, the core of all of Proton Drive’s client applications as well as the cornerstone of Drive into other Proton applications, businesses, and 3rd parties.

We ensure that cross-client and backend initiatives are executed with consistency and correctness; we also build and maintain the core documentation for Drive and define the architectural roadmap to evolve Drive’s technology, both server-side and client-side.

Tech Stack and Tools: We use standard tools for communication and work organization (Git, GitLab, GitHub, GitLab CI, Jira, Confluence). Languages we see daily are C# and TypeScript. We also need to provide bindings for Swift and Kotlin, and we plan to add Rust to avoid the need to have two SDK implementations. We use Grafana and Prometheus to instrument our SDK, Sentry to get details issues from the SDK usage, GitLab CI for running tests including e2e tests written using Playwright for both SDKs.

Purpose of the role: As a Senior Rust Developer on our team, you will play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining components that power Proton Drive and Payments. You will work collaboratively in a cross-functional team, including backend API, web frontend, Mac, Windows, and Android/iOS mobile developers, to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance across various client applications.

What you will do:

• Architect and develop core libraries: Lead the design and development of core Rust libraries that serve as the backbone for Proton web and mobile applications.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Ensure compatibility and optimal performance across various platforms, including web browsers and mobile devices.
• Code review and optimization: Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to ensure code quality, maintainability, and performance optimization.
• Collaboration: Work closely with frontend and mobile developers.
• Security: Implement and adhere to best practices in secure coding to maintain the high level of security and privacy Proton is known for.
• Testing: Develop and implement comprehensive testing strategies, including unit tests and integration tests, to ensure the reliability of core libraries.
• Documentation: Create and maintain thorough documentation for core libraries to assist other developers in understanding and utilizing the components.
• Continuous learning: Stay updated on the latest advancements in Rust and related technologies to suggest improvements and innovations.

Job requirements:

• Experience: 5+ years of professional software development experience, with a focus on Rust programming language.
• Rust proficiency: Strong expertise in Rust language features, concurrency, and ownership model.
• Web and/or mobile development: Experience in developing libraries for both web and mobile applications.
• Collaborative skills: Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and excellent communication skills.
• Problem-solving: Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues efficiently.
• Security focus: Understanding of secure coding practices and a commitment to maintaining high levels of security and privacy.
• Version control: Proficient in using version control systems, preferably Git.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree: In Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

What We Offer:

• Office First: Collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje, and Taipei.
• Technology: We provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role.
• Food: Lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices.
• Transport: We will always support our employees with transport costs through subsidising public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on your office location.
• Stock Options: At Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us.
• Flexible Working: You can define your own working hours as long as it works with team meetings.
• Learning and Development: We are committed to your professional growth.
• Employee Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation and leave policies, and wellness programs.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: At Proton, we believe diversity drives innovation and strengthens our mission to provide privacy as a default for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered.