Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers

SambaNova Systems • Palo Alto, CA

3d

About The Position

The era of pervasive AI has arrived. In this era, organizations will use generative AI to unlock hidden value in their data, accelerate processes, reduce costs, drive efficiency and innovation to fundamentally transform their businesses and operations at scale. Overview SambaNova is seeking a Principal Engineer to own post-silicon bring-up, debug, and validation of high-speed IO and memory subsystems within the DataScale® platform. This role is central to delivering reliable, high-performance AI systems at scale. You will lead complex system-level debug across silicon, board, and software layers, driving issues to root cause and resolution from first silicon through deployment. This is a hands-on role for an engineer with deep expertise in high-speed interfaces and hardware debug, who can operate in ambiguity and execute with high ownership.

Requirements

• MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
• 7+ years of experience in post-silicon validation or system bring-up
• Experience with high-speed IO or memory protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, hBM, CXL, or UCIe
• Strong analytical skills for test development and data analysis
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., bash, python)
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional debugging efforts
• Self-starter with strong ownership and execution skills
• Clear and effective communicator with a proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of high-speed SerDes training and adaptation
• Experience with mixed-signal IO design and validation
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes)
• Proficiency in programming languages, such as C

Responsibilities

• System Bring-Up & Validation Own post-silicon bring-up and validation of high-speed IO and memory subsystems, including characterization, functional validation, stress testing, and performance analysis Enable system power-on and bring-up readiness, including debug infrastructure, tooling, and contingency planning
• Debug & Cross-Functional Execution Lead system-level debug to root cause complex issues spanning silicon, board, and software layers Drive cross-functional resolution with design, firmware, verification, and system teams to ensure timely bring-up and issue closure
• Productization & Deployment Support product validation, deployment, and RMA debug in partnership with system and customer engineering teams Ensure readiness for product release with a focus on stability, performance, and field reliability
• Pre-Silicon & Design Feedback Review SoC, board design, and SI/PI analysis from a post-silicon debug and deployment perspective Contribute to pre-silicon verification and emulation to improve bring-up efficiency and coverage
• Infrastructure & Methodology Develop scripts and tools to automate validation, debug, and data analysis workflows Improve post-silicon validation methodologies, debug infrastructure, and test scalability

Benefits

• SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits.
• We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution.
• We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care.
• Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level