Senior Software Engineer (Linux Desktop)

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. 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, from the world's top companies and universities. 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. We believe smaller teams of exceptional talent will always prevail over larger teams with lower talent density. You will have the opportunity 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. Tired of blending into the crowd? Join us and do work you can truly be proud of. Check our open-source projects here!

Purpose of the role

Proton VPN is composed of a distributed global infrastructure of VPN servers, and a set of clients for each major platform.

You would be joining the Linux Proton VPN, to take part in the development and  take part in shaping the architectural direction of the Proton Linux Desktop client (potentially including Drive and other products) for all the major Linux distributions. As a Linux Engineer, with your technical expertise, your main responsibility will be to contribute to the development of new features, setting up the CI/CD or even building new testing pipelines. You will design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance software solutions.

Within the Linux Team, you will collaborate with fellow Linux developers, QA engineers, Product Manager and Customer Support to develop the Linux client.

What you will do:

  • Contribute to building a new Linux app
  • Architect and develop solutions to ambiguous problems with significant impact.
  • Ensuring that coding standards are in place and participate in E2E development, from design to production
  • Facilitate alignment and clarity across the team on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
  • Analyze and optimize infrastructure application code for quality, efficiency, and performance.

Job requirements:

  • 5+ years of experience in software development with a strong command of OOP.
  • Proficiency in Python with exposure to frontend technologies
  • Applied best practices in code quality paradigms
  • Experience with DevOps principles and practices (CI/CD, containers)
  • Experience with source control flow through Git or other source control (code reviews, optimizing release processes...)
  • Open-source Linux development, distribution, packaging and maintenance for multiple distros (e.g. on Debian or Fedora-based platforms)
  • Overall, handling the entire SDLC, end to end

Nice to have:

  • Experience in Linux desktop client development (in particular through the GTK+ framework, or alternatively QT)
  • Experience in Rust

Even if you don’t meet all the requirements listed above, but feel you could still be a great fit, please still apply.

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. You can also enjoy working from home up to 30% of the time, while enjoying great company during our three core days in the office. 
  • Technology: We provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal to achieve your goals.
  • Food: Lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices.
  • Transport: We will always support our employees with transport costs through subsidizing 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. Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences and events, and continual learning.
  • 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. To this day, Proton’s only source of revenue is user subscriptions. Over 100 million people trust and support Proton, and we put our users and community first in everything we do. Read more about our impact here.

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, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, or socio-economic background, feel valued and empowered. We strive to create equal opportunities, promote open dialogue, and support continuous learning to ensure every voice is heard and respected.

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

Candidate Privacy Notice

When you apply for a position, refer a candidate, or are considered for a role at Proton Technologies AG (Proton, we, us, or our), your information is stored in Greenhouse, in accordance with their Service Privacy Policy. This information is used to evaluate your suitability for the posted position. We also retain this information for consideration for future roles that you may apply for or that we believe may align with your background and skills.

If we no longer have a legitimate business need to process your information, we will either delete or anonymize it. Should you have any inquiries about how we use or manage your information, or if you wish to access, correct, or delete your data, please contact our privacy team at [email protected].

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.

To learn more about our privacy policy, please visit our privacy policy page.

#LI-ONSITE

By applying at a position at Proton AG (“Proton”, “we”, “us”), you understand that your personal data is processed according to the following privacy policy and agree with it. This policy states (i) what data we collect, (ii) the use we make of such data, (iii) the safeguards we put in place to protect your data and (iv) your rights as data subject. This Privacy Policy is complementary to our general privacy policy to the extend applicable when visiting our website. Legal Framework Proton AG is a Company formed under Swiss law and whose Headquarters are located at Route de la Galaise 32, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland. For all questions, you can reach us at [email protected]. We are subject to the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (“FADP”). We are also GDPR compliant. The designated representative of the Company in the European Union (notably for the purpose of art. 27 GDPR) is Proton Europe Sàrl, Rue de Grünewald 94, L-1912 Luxembourg. Data collection and usage Your personal data are processed for the purposes of managing our recruitment-related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating, and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by us, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for entering a contractual relationship. Your personal data are retained by us for an initial period of 720 days (“Initial Period”). 2.1 Upon application via our Career page When applying to a position at Proton, you provide us with personal data such as name, surname, date of birth, address, e-mail address, CV, etc., which we save in our Recruiting Database (“Database”, see below) and process according to this privacy policy. 2.2 Upon sourcing or recommendation If you are sourced by us and added manually to our Database, the personal data is obtained from public sources, such as LinkedIn. If you are referred to us by a third party for potential employment, the personal data added to our Database is that provided by said third party, and/or data available publicly. In all cases, upon inclusion in our Database, you will receive an email informing you of your inclusion and of the processing of your personal data. 2.3 At the end of the Initial Period At the end of the initial period, you will receive an email asking for your permission to extend the period of retention of your personal data, for the purpose of optimising our processes and propose subsequent positions that might be fit for you. If you give us your consent, we will be able to store and process the data for another 270-day period. If you don’t consent, your profile and related data will be deleted from our Database at the end of the initial period. Data Processor Our Database is operated by Greenhouse, according to their privacy policy and terms of service. Your personal data is thus shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America. The transfer is subject to appropriate additional safeguards, including the Standard Contractual Clauses, as issued by the European Commission.   Right to access, rectification, erasure, portability, and right to lodge a complaint As a company that is complying with the Swiss FADP and the EU GDPR, your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting and safeguarding your data privacy rights. You have the right to access, restrict, rectify, or delete your personal data. You also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. In addition, you may lodge a complaint to the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner. We remain available via email to [email protected] for any inquiry. 5. Modifications to privacy policy We reserve the right to periodically review and change this policy. Continued consent and application will be deemed acceptance of such changes.  

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