C++ DPDK Backend Developer

Persistent Systems; Pune District; Hybrid; INR 3,000,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Continuous learning & education

Job summary

Persistent Systems is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design and optimize DPDK-based packet capture solutions. You will work on RX/TX pipelines, memory pool management, and performance tuning for low-latency data processing.

You will also maintain the node provisioning tooling, Kubernetes Helm charts, and integration with ZMQ interfaces while collaborating with cross‑functional teams on architecture and testing.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing high‑performance packet processing applications using DPDK.
• Strong understanding of networking concepts and low latency data processing.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize DPDK-based packet capture application components.
• Maintain hardware abstraction layer for multiple capture backends (DPDK, PCIe, pcap/live, ZMQ).
• Develop Python tooling and Ansible playbooks for node provisioning (hugepages, CPU isolation, IOMMU, NIC binding).
• Own Kubernetes Helm charts for DPDK support infra, including CPU pinning and hugepage requests.
• Diagnose performance bottlenecks: cache, NUMA, IRQ affinity, kernel jitter on isolated cores.
• Contribute tests, documentation, and collaborate with downstream processing teams on interfaces.

Skills

DPDK

Packet capture

C/C++

Python

Kubernetes

Ansible

Linux

NUMA

CPU pinning

ZeroMQ

Tools

PCIe capture cards

ZMQ integration

Job description

We are looking for a C/C++Senior Software Engineer - Packet Capture & DPDK to design, develop, and optimize high-performance network packet capture solutions. In this role, you will work on DPDK-based applications, Kubernetes infrastructure, and node provisioning automation to support low-latency, high-throughput data processing platforms. You will collaborate across engineering teams to enhance capture pipelines, troubleshoot system-level performance bottlenecks, and ensure reliable deployment of packet processing workloads. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to platform architecture, automation, and next-generation network analytics solutions.

• Location: All Persistent Location
• Experience: 6 to 14 Years
• Job Type: Full-Time Employment

What You'll Do:

• Design, implement, and optimize the DPDK-based packet capture application: RX thread architecture, memory pool management, RSS configuration, and timestamping.
• Maintain and extend the hardware abstraction layer that supports multiple capture backends: DPDK (Intel/Mellanox NICs), PCIe capture cards, pcap/live, and ZMQ injection.
• Develop and maintain the node provisioning tooling — Python-based interactive configuration utilities and Ansible playbooks that prepare worker nodes for DPDK workloads (hugepages, CPU isolation, IOMMU, NIC driver binding, node labelling).
• Own the Kubernetes Helm charts for DPDK support infrastructure: ensure correct node-label-driven PCI address injection, hugepage resource requests, and exclusive CPU allocation via Kubernetes CPU pinning extensions.
• Diagnose and resolve low-level performance issues: CPU cache effects, NUMA topology, TLB pressure, IRQ affinity, kernel jitter on isolated cores.
• Write and maintain automated and manual test procedures for the capture pipeline and node provisioning tooling.
• Collaborate with downstream processing teams on the ZMQ publish interface and packet metadata contract.
• Participate in code reviews, contribute to architecture discussions, and maintain technical documentation.

Expertise You'll Bring:

• Strong experience in developing high-performance packet processing applications using DPDK, with expertise in RX/TX pipelines, memory pool management, RSS configuration, and packet timestamping.
• Deep understanding of networking protocols, packet capture technologies, and low-latency data processing systems.
• Hands-on experience with Intel and Mellanox NICs, PCIe capture cards, packet capture frameworks, and network traffic analysis.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python, with the ability to develop and maintain system-level applications, automation tools, and provisioning utilities.
• Experience building and managing Kubernetes-based infrastructure, including Helm charts, resource allocation, CPU pinning, and hugepage configuration.
• Strong knowledge of Linux internals, including NUMA architectures, CPU isolation, IRQ affinity, kernel tuning, memory management, and performance optimization.
• Expertise in infrastructure automation using Ansible and deployment tooling for large-scale distributed environments.
• Familiarity with messaging and streaming technologies such as ZeroMQ (ZMQ) and integration of packet metadata and downstream processing interfaces.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex system performance issues involving CPU cache utilization, TLB pressure, network throughput, and application latency.
• Strong collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills, with experience participating in architecture discussions, code reviews, testing activities, and technical documentation.
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Culture focused on talent development with quarterly growth opportunities and company-sponsored higher education and certifications
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies
• Employee engagement initiatives such as project parties, flexible work hours, and Long Service awards
• Insurance coverage: group term life, personal accident, and Mediclaim hospitalization for self, spouse, two children, and parents

Values-Driven, People-Centric & Inclusive Work Environment:

Persistent is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We invite applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, and regardless of gender or gender preference. We welcome diverse candidates from all backgrounds.

• We support hybrid work and flexible hours to fit diverse lifestyles.
• Our office is accessibility-friendly, with ergonomic setups and assistive technologies to support employees with physical disabilities.
• If you are a person with disabilities and have specific requirements, please inform us during the application process or at any time during your employment

Persistent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.