> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2712459-software-engineer-ii-virtualization](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2712459-software-engineer-ii-virtualization). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer II, Virtualization - **Company:** DigitalOcean, LLC - **Location:** Seattle, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $167,000.0 - $209,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Software Bug Management, Computer Engineering, Debian Linux, Linux, Python (Programming Language), Kernel-Based Virtual Machine, Linux Kernel, Open Source Technology, Quick EMUlator (QEMU), Digitalocean, Ruby, Software Engineering, Virtual Machines, Kubernetes, Information Technology - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-software-engineer-ii-virtualization-digitalocean-9703513 ## About the Role * Strong understanding of Linux based operating systems; comfortable developing and operating software on Linux. * Strong proficiency in C. * Proven track record of solving problems at scale. You'll be involved in driving homogenization across the fleet while making sustainable decisions for the organization moving forward. * A strong security mindset. You are proactive when it comes to identifying and implementing security best practices in your domain. * You are a terrific cross team collaborator. So much of this role involves interactions with other engineers and teams., * Deep experience with the internals of QEMU, KVM, Linux kernel and libvirt. * Experience with Debian packaging * Experience with Go, Python, and/or Ruby * Experience with Chef, AWX, and/or Kubernetes * Experience with GPU virtualization * Experience with Firecracker microVMs ## Description * Design, develop, test, and implement the IT systems underlying DigitalOcean's core virtual machine ("Droplet") product. * Work with DigitalOcean's Observability teams to collect and analyze metrics regarding DigitalOcean's products and infrastructure; utilize this data to improve DigitalOcean's products and services. * Engage in peer reviews for suggested changes to DigitalOcean systems. * Contribute to retrospectives enabling DigitalOcean to continuously improve software engineering processes in an agile manner. * Develop and lead execution of test plans in order to allow DigitalOcean to continue to provide reliable service to customers and ensure any customer-impacting incidents will not be repeated. * Maintain DigitalOcean's existing low-level virtual machine stack, while preparing it to support future software updates and new hardware. * Accelerate the virtualization of next generation GPU enabled platforms that power AI/ML workloads. * Work with hardware engineering teams and vendors to validate new hardware. Optimize performance while maintaining DO's high security standards. * Collaborate with open source Linux, QEMU and libvirt communities to drive the evolution of Linux virtualization technologies and incorporate them into the DO fleet. * Work with cross team partners such as product management to unlock new capabilities within our virtualization stack with evolving hardware. * Backport, build, and deploy software patches in order to support new features, backport bug fixes, and resolve security issues. * Suggest and implement improvements to our code release pipelines. * Contribute to a regular on-call rotation schedule. ## Related Videos - [Coffee with Developers: David Heinemeier Hansson](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/875-coffee-with-developers-david-heinemeier-hansson) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Understanding Kubernetes in a visual way](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100085-understanding-kubernetes-in-a-visual-way) - [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops) - [The best of two worlds - Bringing enterprise-grade Linux to the vehicle](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/67-the-best-of-two-worlds-bringing-enterprise-grade-linux-to-the-vehicle) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)