Lead, Data Plane Software

Logos Space; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Logos Space in Mountain View is seeking a Lead Data Plane Software Engineer to develop and architect high-performance data plane software for satellite-based networks. This role demands strong experience in distributed networking and embedded systems, as well as excellent leadership skills.

Ideal candidates have over 10 years in software development and a strong understanding of networking fundamentals. The position is critical to ensuring quality and reliability in our ground segment and satellite systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software development focusing on distributed networking.
• 5+ years in a technical leadership role.
• Strong technical expertise in networking fundamentals and packet processing.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and development of data plane software.
• Ensure quality and scalability of data plane software.
• Provide technical leadership to software engineers.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Packet processing technologies

C/C++ or Rust programming

Leadership

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Linux Networking

VPP

DPDK

Job description

Lead, Data Plane Software

Logos Space is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system purpose-built to serve the connectivity needs of the commercial enterprise users and government users. We will help fill an important gap in the market, providing resilient, high-performance satellite-based connectivity services to enterprise and government customers worldwide. Business customers have contracts with agreed-upon performance standards for their broadband, and Logos will build these capabilities into the system from the beginning. Speed and reliability are the foundation of the system. Logos is designed to extend cloud and data center network connectivity anywhere in the world to fixed, seaborne, and airborne terminals.

Logos is led by a team of highly experienced engineers with proven track records in the networking and satellite industries.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Logos is building next-generation space-based network fabric, and the Network Software team is responsible for the software systems that control, operate, scale, and route traffic across that network.

The Data Plane Software Lead will spearhead the architecture, design and implementation of Data Plane software for Logos network. Data Plane software spans across the Ground Segment, Satellites and Terminals routing customer and control plane traffic. This role will own foundational systems responsible for packet processing, forwarding behavior, traffic handling, performance, and the software interfaces to networking hardware and embedded systems across a distributed network environment.

This is an early, high-impact role in the Network Software team that combines distributed and embedded systems depth, networking fundamentals, and strong technical leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture, design and development of data plane software for the Logos network.
• Evaluate and integrate data plane technologies, including kernel networking, user-space packet processing, hardware offload, switching silicon, and embedded networking stacks.
• Define data plane interfaces across network elements, embedded systems, switching/routing hardware, and control plane services.
• Develop tools, test frameworks, and simulation/emulation environments to validate data plane behavior under realistic traffic and failure conditions.
• Participate directly in implementation, code reviews, design reviews, debugging, test strategy and system integration.
• Work closely with control plane, and embedded systems teams to integrate the data plane into the broader network architecture.
• Ensure the quality, reliability, and scalability of the data plane software.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the software engineers.
• Translate product level goals into executable architecture, milestones and engineering deliverables.
• Work with product management teams to prioritize features and requirements.
• Work with quality assurance teams to ensure software quality and reliability.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on both distributed networking, embedded systems, and network stacks.
• 5+ years of experience in a technical leadership role, leading control plane software development, with the scope and breadth of this role.
• Strong technical expertise in:
  • Networking fundamentals, including, switching, routing, packet forwarding, encapsulation, QoS, congestion, buffering, and traffic engineering.
  • Packet processing technologies such as Linux Networking, VPP, DPDK, hardware offload, programmable switching/routing platforms.
  • Designing software interfaces between control plane and data plane systems.
  • Data Plane software development for embedded systems.
• Programming in one or more languages such as C, C++ or Rust.
• Debugging and performance profiling across software, network behavior, hardware interfaces and infrastructure.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and make pragmatic architecture decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with core network technology, such as MPLS.
• Experience with specific high throughput routing and switching silicon vendors
• Experience with SDN Controllers, Intent-based networking or network automation platforms
• Experience with satellite or wireless communications and architectures
• Experience working across control plane, data plane, platform and embedded boundaries
• Knowledge of security best practices for embedded environments.
• Ability and willingness to attain a Top Secret Clearance

Logos Space Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering creativity, curiosity and diverse perspectives among employees. We seek to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one's employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.