Join a high-performance team building an AI-native cloud platform from the ground up. You will own the virtualization layer, extending a Firecracker fork to achieve sub-25ms cold starts for agentic workloads. This is a foundational role for a systems expert to architect secure, multi-tenant isolation and low-latency compute at massive scale.
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Virtualization / Compute Systems Engineer at Blaxel
Blaxel is building the 'AWS for AI agents,' and they need a systems expert to own their virtualization layer. If you thrive on low-level Rust/C++ development, KVM, and kernel-level optimizations, this is your chance to join a founding-scale team of 10 in San Francisco and define the infrastructure that powers the next generation of agentic AI.
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Location
San Francisco, United States
Compensation
$250k-$300k + Equity
Company
Blaxel
Role overview
Software10 employees
Blaxel is AWS for AI agents. We’re a new kind of cloud computing infrastructure optimized for the unique demands of agentic AI, leveraging a purpose-built 25ms cold-start serverless compute engine.
Now processing billions of agent requests, we power the coding agents and background AI tasks infrastructure for top AI startups. Founders choose us when they hit the limits of general-purpose clouds. We solve the hard infrastructure problems—statefulness, ultra-low latency, and secure sandboxed code execution—so they can focus on building their core AI products.
We raised a $7.3M seed round led by First Round Capital.
What you will do
- Design and implement low-level virtualization features on a Firecracker fork, focusing on VM lifecycle and memory optimization.
- Develop kernel-level optimizations and custom device models to minimize latency and maximize throughput for specialized AI workloads.
- Profile and optimize critical paths in the VM creation pipeline while building robust monitoring and observability tools for production.
Who this is a fit for
- Deep proficiency in Rust and/or C/C++ with a strong understanding of Linux internals like KVM, virtio, and kernel memory management.
- Proven experience with virtualization technologies such as Firecracker, QEMU, or Cloud Hypervisor in a production or open-source context.
- Skilled in systems performance analysis using modern Linux features like eBPF or io_uring to debug across kernel and userspace boundaries.
Why this role is remarkable
- Work directly with technical founders who previously built and sold a multicloud data platform to Europe's largest cloud provider.
- Join a YC X25 company that recently raised $7.3M from First Round Capital and already processes billions of AI agent requests.
- Impact a critical open-source ecosystem by contributing upstream to Firecracker while shipping code that immediately powers top AI startups.
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
Meet Jack
What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Blaxel wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.