SENIOR ARCHITECT - Embedded C

Happiest Minds Technologies; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology solutions company is seeking an experienced Architect/Senior Architect to focus on L2/L3 networking protocol development. Candidates should have 13-16 years of experience and strong programming skills in C within Linux environments. The role includes leading design efforts, debugging networking features across various platforms, and mentoring junior engineers. Familiarity with Cisco operating systems and SONiC NOS is essential. This position offers an exciting challenge in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 13–16 years of hands-on experience in L2/L3 protocol development.
• Strong programming skills in C under Linux environments.
• Experience with Cisco operating systems such as IOS and NX-OS.
• Excellent knowledge of data structures and memory management.
• Experience with Cisco operating systems – IOS, IOS-XE, NX-OS.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and modular design for networking systems.
• Experience with SONiC Network Operating System (NOS).
• Knowledge of programmable packet pipelines (e.g., P4).
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and CI/CD pipelines for network software.
• Exposure to open networking and white box switch ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of L2/L3 network protocol features.
• Implement new networking functionalities in C.
• Debug and improve existing protocol implementations.
• Architect and optimize multi-threaded and socket-based communication systems.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate features into existing systems (Cisco OS and SONiC NOS).
• Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to design/code reviews.
• Collaborate with QA and support teams for validation, testing, and issue resolution.
• Document software design, architecture, and troubleshooting guides.

Skills

C programming

Linux environments

L2/L3 protocol development

Multi-threading

Socket Programming

Data structures knowledge

Memory management

Cisco operating systems

SONiC NOS

DevOps tools

CI/CD pipelines

White box networking

Job description

We are seeking experienced Architect/ Senior Architect to take on the role focused on L2/L3 networking protocol development. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in C programming, Linux environments, and protocol-level software design. This role involves leading design, development, debugging, and optimization of networking features across multiple platforms including Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, NX-OS, and open networking systems like SONiC.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of L2/L3 network protocol features and enhancements.
• Own and drive the implementation of new networking functionalities in C on Linux platforms. (C, Linux kernels are mandatory)
• Debug and fix issues in existing protocol implementations and improve software stability.
• Architect and optimize multi-threaded and socket-based communication systems.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate features into existing systems (Cisco OS and SONiC NOS).
• Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to design/code reviews.
• Collaborate with QA and support teams for validation, testing, and issue resolution.
• Document software design, architecture, and troubleshooting guides.

Skills and Qualifications:

• 13–16 years of hands-on experience in L2/L3 protocol development.
• Strong programming skills in C, OS within Linux environments (Mandatory)
• Proficiency in Multi-threading and Socket Programming.
• Excellent knowledge of data structures and memory management.
• Experience with Cisco operating systems – IOS, IOS-XE, NX-OS.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and modular design for networking systems.
• Experience with SONiC Network Operating System (NOS).
• Knowledge of programmable packet pipelines (e.g., P4).
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and CI/CD pipelines for network software.
• Exposure to open networking and white box switch ecosystems.

Experience with networking protocols such as:

Layer 2: VLAN, STP, RSTP, MSTP, VXLAN, LLDP, LAG

Layer 3: BGP, OSPF, RIP, EIGRP, IGMP, PIM, MPLS, GRE, IPSec, Macsec, NAT, OPEN SSL