Rust Engineer
Software development is becoming a collaboration between developers and AI systems.
Most AI developer tools operate on prompts and static snapshots of code. But real software development happens inside large, evolving codebases that change continuously through edits, refactors, discussions, and collaboration.
We are building AI systems that operate inside that environment.
Zed today is a code editor built from scratch in Rust with GPU acceleration and real-time multiplayer collaboration. Every keystroke and edit can be shared instantly between collaborators, creating a shared workspace where developers and increasingly AI systems can work together.
The codebase spans nearly one million lines of Rust, covering editor state management, language tooling, rendering infrastructure, distributed collaboration systems, and the AI and agent capabilities built around the editor.
We’re also building DeltaDB, a system designed to capture the operational history of software development.
What you'll work on
Rust engineers at Zed work across the editor and the systems that make it possible.
Evolving the core systems that power editing, navigation, and large codebases
Improving Zed’s real-time collaboration infrastructure built on CRDTs
Designing editor data structures and indexes that update incrementally as code changes
Designing data structures and memory layouts that keep editor operations fast under large projects and continuous edits
Identifying and eliminating performance regressions across rendering, input handling, and editor state
Extending Zed across macOS, Linux, and Windows
Performance and correctness are continuous concerns. Engineers regularly measure, profile, and improve the editor while maintaining strong testing discipline.
Engineers who thrive at Zed
Systems thinkers comfortable working close to the machine
Engineers who reason from latency, memory, and system constraints
Developers who care about clean design, performance, and strong tests
Collaborative engineers who enjoy pair programming and exploring systems together
Engineers are encouraged to explore the system deeply and propose improvements that make the editor faster, simpler, and more reliable.
Requirements
Strong proficiency in Rust
Experience building production systems software
Deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and systems design
Strong debugging skills across complex systems
Interest in developer tools or programming environments
Comfort incorporating AI tools into your development workflow
Preferred experience
Editors, compilers, language servers, or developer tools
Real-time collaborative systems
GPU or rendering systems
Performance-sensitive software
Cross-platform desktop development
About Zed
Zed is open source and built in public by the team behind Atom and Tree-sitter.
The editor is written in Rust with GPU acceleration for every frame. When you type or move the cursor, pixels respond instantly. That responsiveness keeps you in flow.
Zed is multiplayer by default, allowing developers to work together in the same codebase in real time. Much of our work happens through pair programming, with engineers collaborating directly inside the editor.
We ship improvements weekly and work closely with a community that cares deeply about the craft of developer tools.
Join us in revolutionizing the development experience. Your expertise could drive Zed's next game-changing feature!
Location: Remote (American or European time zones)