AI Principal SW Systems Engineer

101 Extreme Networks, Inc.; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible work schedules

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Extreme Networks, Inc. is seeking a Principal Software Systems Engineer to lead the development of core platforms that process massive network and operational data and power AI experiences.

This role reports to the Director of SW Systems Engineering and is based in Seattle, WA or San Jose, CA. You will guide the end-to-end software lifecycle, architect scalable services, and mentor a team of engineers to deliver high-performance, secure, and observable systems for enterprise use cases.

Qualifications

• 10+ years across the complete software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, coding, testing, and operations.
• 10+ years of programming experience in Python, Java, Go, or C++.
• 3+ years leading design/architecture of large-scale distributed systems on cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Experience with real-time microservices, stream processing, and large-scale analytics.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical teams.
• Ability to translate complex problems into pragmatic, production-ready solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive a technical vision across products and platforms.
• Design and launch capabilities spanning intelligent networking and real-time data processing.
• Lead end-to-end software development lifecycle from architecture to operations.
• Engage in design and code reviews, guiding technical discussions and decisions.
• Build scalable, secure, observable real-time data and AI platforms.
• Mentor engineers and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Improve architecture and engineering processes for performance and reliability.

Skills

Distributed systems

Real-time data

Agentic AI

Cloud platforms

Mentoring engineers

Programming languages

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Kafka

Spark

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Over 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions. They rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver unprecedented progress.

With double-digit growth year over year, no provider is better positioned to deliver scalable outcomes than Extreme. Inclusion is one of our core values and in our DNA. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that embraces our differences and creates an atmosphere where all our employees thrive because of their differences, not in spite of them.

Become part of Something big with Extreme! As a global networking leader, learn why there’s no better time to join the Extreme team.

Job Description

Title of position: Principal Software Systems Engineer

Position type: Full time

Location: Seattle, WA / San Jose, CA

Position reports to: Director of SW Systems Engineering

Application deadline: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and this posting will remain open until filled.

Work authorization: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa, including H-1B visas, at this time

Are you energized by the opportunity to shape the future of intelligent networking, generative AI, and autonomous agentic systems? Do you want to help build highly scalable systems that process real-time network data, power intelligent experiences, and enable AI agents to reason, remember, plan, collaborate, use tools, and safely take action on behalf of users? Do you aspire to create global impact while tackling challenges at the intersection of networking, AI, distributed systems, cloud platforms, security, and real-time data processing? Then come advance with us. This is an incredible opportunity to work at the forefront of intelligent networking, agentic automation, cloud-native platforms, and real-time distributed systems.

You will help lead the development of core platforms and services that process large volumes of network and operational data and power AI experiences across Extreme. These systems must be scalable, secure, reliable, observable, adaptable, and safe for enterprise use cases. There has never been a better time to join Extreme. Following several acquisitions that have expanded our portfolio and go-to-market strategy, we are seeing tremendous opportunity and growth across regions. In addition to being recognized as a Technology Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, we actively promote an internal culture that truly embraces diversity. Our motto at Extreme is "Advance with us," and it applies to everyone we work with, both inside and outside the company. Our group is responsible for developing core platforms and services spanning networking, agentic AI, distributed data processing, real-time analytics, and intelligent automation. These capabilities positively impact multiple existing Extreme flagship products as well as new company offerings. We are spearheading a fundamental shift in how businesses operate and manage their wired and wireless networks by building high-performance, real-time systems that can process massive volumes of network data, derive actionable insights, and enable intelligent agents to assist users or act on their behalf. As part of this group, you will continuously experiment with emerging technologies, create best-in-class networking experiences, and launch state-of-the-art software, data, and AI solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a thought leader and forward thinker, helping define and drive an innovative technical vision across our products and platforms.
• Design and launch strategic capabilities spanning intelligent networking, distributed systems, real-time data processing, agentic AI, and machine learning.
• Lead the end-to-end software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and operations.
• Lead technical discussions and strategy while participating hands-on in design reviews, code reviews, and implementation.
• Design and build high-performance, production-ready services for next-generation real-time data and AI platforms, including scalable data pipelines, distributed microservices, agentic solutions, and integrations with networking systems.
• Mentor and develop engineers across the team, establish a clear technical direction, and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and engineering excellence.
• Uphold the highest standards of technical rigor and operational excellence.
• Build highly resilient, secure, observable, and scalable systems, and champion improvements to architecture, engineering processes, system performance, and operational readiness.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience across the complete software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, coding, code reviews, testing, build processes, deployment, and production operations.
• 10+ years of programming experience, with proficiency in at least one general-purpose programming language, preferably Python, Java, Go, or C++.
• 3+ years of experience leading the design and architecture of large-scale distributed systems, preferably on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: real-time microservices, stream processing, distributed data platforms, cloud infrastructure, AI or agentic systems, network telemetry, or large-scale analytics.
• Experience designing systems that process high-volume, high-velocity data with stringent requirements for scalability, availability, latency, and operational reliability.
• Experience mentoring engineers, serving as a technical lead, or leading an engineering team.
• Demonstrated ability to tackle highly complex, ambiguous, or undefined technical problems and translate them into pragmatic, production-ready solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience building highly scalable, event-driven microservices and processing large volumes of real-time operational or network data.
• Experience building generative AI or agentic systems, including tool use, planning, memory, retrieval, orchestration, evaluation, and production deployment.
• Experience developing networking, network management, observability, telemetry, cloud infrastructure, or distributed control-plane systems.
• Experience with distributed data and processing technologies such as Kafka, Spark, Flink, PySpark, MapReduce, or comparable technologies.
• Experience working with large-scale, real-world datasets and building reliable production systems that translate data into actionable insights or automated outcomes.

Compensation

This role has a market-competitive compensation with an anticipated base compensation range of USD170000 to USD 190000. The posted range reflects the amount Extreme Networks reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this role upon hire. This range is set using objective, gender-neutral criteria based on skills, experience, responsibility, and working conditions. Actual compensation offered will depend on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and work location.

Benefits and Total Rewards

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities where role permits
• Paid time off, including open time off in eligible markets and statutory leave in all markets
• Paid holidays in accordance with local practice
• Retirement savings programs, including 401(k) matching in the United States
• Employee Stock Purchase Program, where eligible
• Adoption assistance and fertility treatment support, where eligible
• Flexible spending accounts, where eligible
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement, where eligible
• Life and disability insurance

Benefits eligibility is based on country of employment, role, and employment status. Complete benefits details will be provided during the interview process and in the formal offer of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Extreme Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We are committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans, including disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active-duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans.

Extreme Networks also strives to prevent other, subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (for example, stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our organization. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Extreme Networks. We encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.

Fair chance and background checks

Extreme Networks will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, Illinois Human Rights Act, Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. An applicant’s conviction history will not be considered until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Following any individualized assessment, applicants will be provided with the opportunity to respond before any adverse action is taken.

Extreme Networks does not seek salary history information from applicants and will not rely on salary history in determining whether to offer employment or in setting compensation.

Reasonable accommodation

Extreme Networks is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities throughout the application, interview, and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [insert contact email and phone]. All requests will be handled confidentially.

Use of artificial intelligence in hiring

Extreme Networks may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are made by humans. Applicants have the right to request human review of any automated decision affecting their candidacy and to request information about how their personal data is processed. To exercise these rights, please contact [insert contact email].

Data privacy

Personal data provided during the application process will be processed in accordance with Extreme Networks’ Candidate Privacy Notice, which is available at https://www.extremenetworks.com/about-extreme-networks/company/legal/privacy-and-cookies-policy. For applicants in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions with comparable data protection laws, the Candidate Privacy Notice describes your rights regarding your personal data.

About Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) creates effortless networking experiences that enable people and organizations to advance. We push the boundaries of technology by leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation. Learn more at www.extremenetworks.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.