C++ Software Engineer — Systems
Role summary
Vast.ai is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to work on critical performance systems, including their GPU cloud daemon. This role involves improving the performance, reliability, and capabilities of their infrastructure and containerization technologies, with a focus on monitoring and telemetry. The engineer will be responsible for expanding the daemon, designing resource management systems, hardening code to zero-trust standards, and optimizing performance across hypervisor, container, and network layers. The position is full-time and requires an on-site presence in either their San Francisco or Los Angeles office.
About Us
Vast.ai’s cloud powers AI projects and businesses all over the world. We are democratizing and decentralizing AI computing—reshaping our future for the benefit of humanity.
We are a growing and highly motivated team dedicated to an ambitious technical plan. Our structure is flat, our ambitions are out‑sized, and leadership is earned by shipping excellence.
We seek engineers with strong intrinsic drive, a true passion for advancing the state of the art, and a mix of architecture, coding, and communication skills.
LOCATION: On-site at our office in San Francisco or Westwood, Los Angeles.
About the Role
As a Systems Software Engineer, you will work on key performance critical systems such as the daemon which orchestrates every host in our fleet. You will improve the performance, reliability and capability of our infrastructure and containerization technologies including monitoring and telemetry.
- Full-time
- On-site at either our SF or LA offices
Tech Stack
C, C++, Python, Linux
Ideal Experience
- Programming: Strong programming skills in at least one language, ideally C++
- Linux and Virtualization: Extensive knowledge of Linux kernel internals, containerization technologies, and virtualization
- Isolation Techniques: Deep understanding of workload and network isolation techniques in multi-tenant environments
- Cloud Security: Experience in securing and hardening cloud infrastructure, particularly in environments with untrusted workloads
- Multi-tenant Security: Strong background in workload and network isolation, network security, and cloud-native security practices
- GPU Security: Experience with GPU programming and an understanding of GPU-specific security concerns.
Key Responsibilities
- Expand and extend our GPU cloud daemon
- Design and deploy market-based resource management systems
- Harden code and infrastructure to meet zero‑trust standards
- Benchmark, profile, and eliminate bottlenecks across hypervisor, container, and network layers
Interview Process (≈ 1 week)
After submitting your application, our technical team reviews your credentials. If selected, you'll proceed through the following stages:
- 15 min - Initial screening (virtual)
- 45 min - Quick dive into Vast, systems and architectures (virtual)
- 1 hour - LLM-assisted coding assessment (virtual)
- 2 hours - Meet and greet with coding assessment (on-site)
Annual Salary Range
$120,000 – $180,000 + equity + benefits
Vast.ai is hiring across all experience levels with compensation commensurate with background, experience and potential.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Meaningful early-stage equity
- Onsite meals, snacks, and close collaboration with founders/tech leaders
- Ambitious, fast-paced startup culture where initiative is rewarded