Linux Desktop Rust Engineer

Location: Remote (American or European time zones) or Boulder, Colorado

Company

Zed is a lightning-fast, collaborative code editor built from the ground up in Rust. We're looking for a Linux Lead to make Zed a first-class, native experience on Linux.

This isn't just a porting job—it's a chance to define what a truly native, high-performance editor should be for the Linux community. You'll own our Linux build, shape the technical vision, and lead the charge in delivering a polished, performant editor that feels right at home.

Key Responsibilities

Define the technical vision and quality standards for Zed on Linux.
Ensure a native-feeling experience by working directly with Linux desktop environments, conventions, and APIs.
Solve Linux-specific technical challenges in our Rust codebase.
Create robust testing infrastructure to catch regressions across Linux distributions and desktop environments.
Guide cross-platform architectural decisions with a Linux-first mindset.
Mentor teammates on Linux development best practices and ecosystem nuances.
Stay deeply involved—you'll be using Zed on Linux every day to validate and improve it.

Requirements

Strong Rust experience with a systems programming background.
Daily Linux user with deep familiarity across multiple distributions.
Expertise in Linux graphics and windowing systems.
Experience building and shipping native-feeling Linux desktop applications.
Understanding of Linux UX patterns, user expectations, and toolkit diversity.
Strong technical leadership and architectural decision-making skills.
Self-directed and comfortable prioritizing independently in a fast-moving environment.
Passionate about creating high-quality Linux-native developer tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with packaging and distribution systems (Flatpak, AppImage, DEB/RPM).
Familiarity with Linux desktop environments and theming challenges.
Contributions to open-source projects in the Linux or Rust ecosystem.
Knowledge of Linux-specific CI/CD pipelines and build systems.
Prior work on Linux developer tools, IDEs, or editors.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to shape a modern, Rust-based editor from the ground up on the Linux platform. You will have a massive impact, your work will be used by thousands of developers daily, and you'll be doing it all within a stack that excites you.

Join us in revolutionizing the development experience. Your expertise could drive Zed's next game-changing feature!

Zed is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Location:
Remote, Boulder, Colorado, usa

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