Network Reliability Engineer

About Proton

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!

We are profitable, independent (no VC control), and selectively hire from the top ~1% of applicants. Our 700+ 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. Check our open-source projects here!

The Network Infrastructure Team

Proton's network infrastructure is the foundation everything else runs on - and we treat it as software. We follow the Network Reliability Engineer (NRE) model: continuous observation, rapid capacity adaptation, and relentless automation so that network capabilities are delivered as APIs, not tickets. In 2024 we executed a full brownfield DC fabric migration to a new vendor stack in pursuit of better automation and reliability. We've since invested heavily in telemetry, shipped upstream improvements to community tooling, and now operate the majority of our network infrastructure through Kubernetes controllers and internally built workflows. This is not a team that waits for vendor roadmaps. If you've wanted to build truly next-generation networking - and are comfortable doing hard things - this is the place.

Tech Stack and Tools

• Protocols: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, EVPN VXLAN, TCP/IP
• Hardware: Nokia, Juniper (hardware-agnostic, protocol-first approach)
• Automation / Coding: Python, Go, Rust
• Infrastructure: Kubernetes (controllers), Terraform, Git, Linux
• Telemetry: gNMIc, sFlow, BMP, Prometheus, Alertmanager, Grafana

What You'll Do

• Own the reliability and performance of Proton's network infrastructure - monitor, troubleshoot, and implement protocol-level optimizations to maximize uptime across the global fleet
• Deploy and maintain network security controls - firewalls, IDS/IPS, ACLs - without relying on vendor-specific shortcuts; ensure they meet Proton's strict privacy and security standards
• Build and improve automation tooling in Python, Go, or Rust to reduce manual operations and expose network capabilities as self-service APIs
• Lead or contribute to network upgrades and migrations - including DC fabric changes - with minimal disruption and strict adherence to protocol best practices
• Operate and extend our telemetry pipelines and Kubernetes-based network controllers; contribute upstream when our work benefits the community
• Participate in an on-call rotation, respond to high-severity incidents, and drive post-mortems through to corrective action

Who You Are

• 5+ years of hands-on experience implementing and operating enterprise-scale networks in production
• Deep, practical knowledge of BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, EVPN VXLAN, and TCP/IP - you reason from the protocol, not the vendor UI
• Experience configuring network security controls (firewalls, IDS/IPS, ACLs) without dependence on proprietary features
• Able to script confidently in Python, Go, Rust, or equivalent to automate monitoring and configuration workflows
• Solid Linux and DevOps fundamentals: comfortable at the CLI, with Terraform, and with Git-based workflows
• Hardware-agnostic mindset - you've worked across multiple vendors and know that the protocol stack is what matters

Nice to Have

• Experience building network telemetry pipelines using gNMIc, sFlow, BMP, or similar, integrated with Prometheus and Grafana
• Kubernetes experience, specifically leveraging or adapting controllers
• Contributions to open-source networking tools or internal automation frameworks
• Involvement in NOG communities or conference speaking - we actively support community engagement

What We Offer

• 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. (read more about our impact here)

• 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

• Office First: Proton is an office-first company. We expect you to spend most of your time in the office, and while we do offer some flexibility to work from home, we believe in-person collaboration helps us build the best products.

• 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.

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. 

Compensation range

 Paris :  50,000€ to 77,000€

Other locations: Compensation will be discussed during the interview process

*Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, skills, and previous experience