Windows Engineer
Job description
About the role
The role focuses on developing and maintaining the Tailscale Windows client. The team delivers platform-specific capabilities for Windows while contributing to shared cross-client code. Collaboration with engineers across products aligns client work with broader backend and service goals.
Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.
Key facts
What you'll do
Support for current Windows platform capabilities is implemented while maintaining behavior on a subset of older versions. A shared cross-platform codebase serving macOS, mobile, and other core clients is extended and maintained. General networking concepts such as DNS, VPNs, IP networking, and routing are applied in implementation.
Requirements
The posting states a pay range of $143000 to $1500.
Four or more years of software development experience are required. A strong understanding of software development principles and the capabilities and limitations of the Windows platform is required. Proficiency in C# and modern native UI frameworks such as WinUI, UWP, or WPF must be demonstrated. Knowledge of general networking concepts including DNS, VPNs, IP networking, and routing is required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Constructive feedback is both given and processed independently. Adaptation to the dynamic nature of a startup environment is required.
Practical notes
This position is fully remote within the United States. An inclusive environment supports asynchronous collaboration among technical teams. Typical interview steps
Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.
Good to know
Engineers build client software using modern Windows development frameworks. Common tools include C#, XAML, and Go within a cross-platform ecosystem. The role operates in a remote-first, early-stage company focused on secure networking. Professional growth is supported through learning opportunities and structured feedback.
Questions to ask
Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.
Career growth
Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.
About the company
Tailscale is building the new Internet by delivering software that makes it easy to securely interconnect people and their devices, no matter where they are. From hobbyists to multinational corporations, teams of every size use Tailscale each day to protect their networks, share access to internal tools, and more.