Sr Staff Software Engineer, Networking Software Systems

Qualcomm•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

We are seeking a highly experienced Sr Staff Software Engineer to lead the development of next-generation Networking and Wireless solutions. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of hands-on experience in embedded software and networking, with a proven track record of architecting high-performance data path solutions and driving technical innovation.

Requirements

Expert proficiency in C and C++ programming.
Deep understanding of Linux Kernel internals (memory management, interrupt handling, locking mechanisms) and embedded system constraints.
Comprehensive mastery of TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, switching, routing, and tunneling protocols.
Hands-on experience with HW/SW data path offloading techniques and Ethernet driver development.
Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to debug complex system-level issues involving race conditions, memory leaks, and performance bottlenecks in a multi-core environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex architectural concepts to stakeholders and lead technical discussions.
Ability to lead technical initiatives in a fast-paced environment and work effectively as part of a high-caliber international/multi-site team.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
3+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Nice To Haves

8+ years of hands-on experience in embedded software and networking
Proven track record of architecting high-performance data path solutions and driving technical innovation.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, and lead the implementation of complex packet processing systems.
Define strategies for HW and SW datapath acceleration to ensure wire-speed performance and low latency.
Develop and optimize Linux kernel modules, Ethernet drivers, and PHY drivers.
Customize and enhance the Linux networking stack (Netfilter, bridging, routing, QoS) for high-throughput embedded systems.
Design and implement robust support for various network tunneling protocols (e.g., GRE, L2TP, IPsec, VxLAN, MAP-T/E, CAPWAP).
Ensure interoperability and performance across diverse network topologies.
Architect efficient user space to kernel space communication interfaces (e.g. Netlink, ioctl, sysfs).
Integrate complex networking features such as Open vSwitch (OVS) or eBPF/XDP into the networking ecosystem.
Serve as a technical lead for the team.
Drive architectural decisions, conduct code reviews, and define best practices for software development and testing.
Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including HW architects, System Test, and customer support, to define requirements and commercialize networking features for global carrier and enterprise customers.
Mentor Senior and Junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and innovation.