Senior Software Engineer- L2/L3 Protocols

Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Bengaluru Urban; On-site; INR 2,200,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Hewlett Packard Enterprise seeks a Packet Forwarding Engineer to design, develop, and enhance high-performance networking software for next-generation routing and switching platforms. You will work on packet forwarding features, implement Layer 2/3 protocols, and analyse flows to troubleshoot issues.

The role requires strong C/C++ skills, Linux development experience, and a solid understanding of dataplane concepts.

Qualifications

• Strong programming skills in C and/or C++.
• Understanding of packet forwarding and dataplane concepts.
• Experience with networking protocols (Layer 2: VLAN, STP, RSTP, MSTP, LACP, VXLAN, EVPN; Layer 3: IPv4/IPv6/ARP/BGP/OSPF/IS-IS).
• Linux-based development environments experience.
• Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of MPLS, VPLS, QoS, multicast is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop packet forwarding and dataplane features for networking products.
• Implement and optimise Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols.
• Analyse packet flows and troubleshoot forwarding-related issues.
• Collaborate with architecture, control plane, and platform teams to deliver scalable networking solutions.
• Debug and resolve customer-reported networking and performance issues.
• Contribute to feature design, code reviews, testing, and performance optimisation.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Packet forwarding concepts

Layer 2 protocols

Layer 3 protocols

Linux development

Debugging skills

Networking problem-solving

ASIC familiarity

Job description

Design, develop and maintain high performance forwarding/networking software for the next generation of Switches.

We are seeking a highly motivated Packet Forwarding Engineer to design, develop, and enhance high-performance networking software for next-generation routing and switching platforms. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in networking fundamentals, Layer 2/Layer 3 protocols, packet processing, and software development using C/C++.

What you will do

• Design and develop packet forwarding and dataplane features for networking products.
• Implement and optimise Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols.
• Analyse packet flows and troubleshoot forwarding-related issues.
• Collaborate with architecture, control plane, and platform teams to deliver scalable networking solutions.
• Debug and resolve customer-reported networking and performance issues.
• Contribute to feature design, code reviews, testing, and performance optimisation.

What you will bring

Required Skills

• Strong programming skills in C and/or C++.
• Good understanding of packet forwarding and dataplane concepts.
• Hands-on experience with networking protocols such as:
• Layer 2: VLAN, STP, RSTP, MSTP, LACP, VXLAN, EVPN
• Layer 3: IPv4, IPv6, ARP, BGP, OSPF, IS-IS
• Strong knowledge of routing, switching, and packet processing.
• Experience with Linux-based development environments.
• Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of MPLS, VPLS, QoS, Multicast (IGMP/PIM).
• Experience with merchant silicon or ASIC-based networking platforms.
• Familiarity with network operating systems and telecom/service provider environments.