Senior Staff Software Engineer SDN Architecture
Design and build high-performance software-defined networking solutions across the Linux kernel, packet processing pipelines, network virtualization, hardware accelerators, and software control planes. Shape SDN architecture and roadmaps, author designs, review code, optimize performance, troubleshoot production issues, integrate SmartNICs, and mentor engineers.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to and refine the technical direction for software-defined networking
- Translate SDN strategy into plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes
- Lead architecture reviews and author design documents
- Review code for critical services
- Build and optimize Linux kernel modules and high-performance drivers
- Design network architectures for GPU-to-GPU fabrics and AI clusters
- Implement and tune SR-IOV, vDPA, and virtio virtualization features
- Integrate SmartNICs, DPUs, and IPUs
- Troubleshoot production issues and tune performance
- Evaluate emerging SDN and NFV technologies
- Contribute to relevant open-source projects
- Mentor engineers and review their designs and code
- Partner with software and operations teams to deploy and manage architecture designs
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience building and operating large-scale networking systems in production
- Experience with software-defined networking and network functions virtualization
- Systems programming experience in C, C++, Go, or Rust
- Knowledge of Linux kernel architecture, memory management, networking, and device driver development
- Experience with XDP, eBPF, AF_XDP, or DPDK
- Familiarity with SmartNICs and accelerators
- Experience with network virtualization and data center fabrics
- Knowledge of SR-IOV and vDPA
- Strong written communication and collaborative mentoring skills
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related analytical field, or equivalent professional experience
- Bonus: open-source contributions, physical networking, network automation, orchestration, or networking stacks for multi-node GPU training
Benefits
- Competitive compensation and equity packages
- Restricted Stock Units
- Paid time off, paid holidays, and leave of absence programs
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer contributions to HSA account
- Paid parental leave
- Paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
- Mental health and wellness support
- Commuter benefits
- Cell phone stipend
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match up to 4% of salary
- Volunteer time off
- Global travel insurance and emergency assistance
- Daily meals allowance
- Additional location-specific perks and programs