Systems & Reliability Engineer (VPN)

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, founded by a team of scientists from CERN, 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.

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, ranging from former international math and science olympiad winners to chess champions. 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.

Purpose of the role: At ProtonVPN, we’re on a mission to provide secure, private internet access to everyone—even in the most restrictive environments. Our infrastructure spans thousands of servers worldwide, operating on a distributed architecture that connects our suite of applications across platforms. As a Systems and Reliability Engineer on the VPN Infrastructure team, you’ll be at the forefront of our battle against censorship regimes worldwide. You’ll help design, implement, and maintain the robust systems that keep our users connected when they need privacy and security most.

What you will do:

• Infrastructure Management: Oversee and optimize our rapidly expanding global network of thousands of servers.
• Automation & Reliability: Design and implement automation systems that ensure 99.95%+ uptime across our infrastructure.
• Problem Solving: Serve as an active member of the on-call rotation, troubleshooting complex technical challenges across different network environments and censorship scenarios.
• Monitoring Excellence: Develop and enhance sophisticated monitoring and alerting systems that provide real-time visibility into our global infrastructure.
• Technical Implementation: Engineer solutions to improve connectivity, stability, performance, scalability, security, and resilience—particularly in adversarial network environments.

Job requirements:

• Linux Expertise: Knowledge of Debian/Linux operating system internals, including NFtables, networking stack, and kernel tuning.
• Infrastructure as Code: Experience with orchestration and automation using Ansible or similar tools.
• Programming Skills: Python proficiency for developing automation tools and operational scripts.
• Observability Tools: Hands-on experience with monitoring solutions like VictoriaMetrics and Grafana dashboards.
• Security Knowledge: Understanding of security principles and best practices for infrastructure.

What We Value:

• Strong problem-solving abilities, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies as our infrastructure evolves.
• Collaborative mindset for working with the VPN R&D Team and Procurement on infrastructure initiatives.
• Innovative thinking to address challenges in censorship-heavy environments.

Bonus points for:

• Understanding of UDP and TCP/IP protocols, including troubleshooting and optimization techniques.
• Experience implementing and troubleshooting VPN protocols, particularly OpenVPN and WireGuard.
• Working knowledge of cryptography concepts, including TLS certificates and public key infrastructure (PKI).
• Experience with high-availability systems and resilient architecture design.
• Background in fighting network censorship or working in restricted internet environments.

What We Offer:

• Office First: Collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in multiple cities. You can also enjoy working from home up to 30% of the time.
• 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 support our employees with transport costs through subsidizing public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on your office location.
• Stock Options: 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.
• Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organization, started with the support of a crowdfunding campaign and built with community input.

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.

If you need any extra support or reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, please let your talent partner know.