Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default. Proton was founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN on a simple truth: privacy is a fundamental human right. Since then, we’ve built the world’s largest encrypted email service (Proton Mail) and expanded into Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar—tools used by millions globally to protect their freedom, fight censorship, and keep their data safe. In some situations, Proton has literally helped save lives!
🏢 About Proton
Proton was founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN on a simple truth: privacy is a fundamental human right. Since then, we’ve built the world’s largest encrypted email service (Proton Mail) and expanded into Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar—tools used by millions globally to protect their freedom, fight censorship, and keep their data safe. In some situations, Proton has literally helped save lives! We are profitable, independent (no VC control), and selectively hire from the top ~1% of applicants. Our 500+ team members across 50+ countries come from leading organizations and elite academic backgrounds. We move fast, keep hierarchy light, and prioritize impact over optics. If you want to do meaningful work with exceptionally high-caliber people, this is it. Join us and do work you can truly be proud 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, among several areas, 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.
✅ Key Responsibilities
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
📌 Required Qualifications
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
⭐ Desirable Experience
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
🎁 Benefits
Work that Matters: millions of people trust Proton with their privacy. We answer only to our users — not advertisers, not investors with conflicting agendas, not governments. The work you do here is real, and the impact is measurable.
Stock Options: at Proton, we all have the opportunity to be owners of the company. From day one, you have a real stake in what we're building. When Proton wins, you win.
Technology: you'll get the right hardware and the right software you need to do your best work.
Learning & Development: we invest in your growth because sharp people make us better. Proton is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your career because you'll be thrown into real challenges, with real ownership, from day one.
Employee Benefits: your wellbeing isn't an afterthought. We offer strong health coverage, solid retirement options, generous leave, and wellness support so you can bring your best self to work every day
In-Person Collaboration: Amazing things happen when passionate, smart, and purposeful people get together in the same room. With offices across Geneva, Zürich, Barcelona, London and more, you'll spend most of your time collaborating face-to-face with people who genuinely care about what they're building
Food: Lunch and snacks are on us every day in our offices so you can focus on the work and not on what's for lunch.
Transport: getting to the office shouldn't cost you. We cover public transport, bike allowances, or parking, whichever works for you.
Flexible Working: you own your schedule. Set hours that work for you and your team — because outcomes matter more than when the clock says you started.
🛂 Visa & Eligibility
Proton does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from candidates. We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from an unsolicited offer, even if the candidate is subsequently hired by Proton.
