Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU

Canonical; Seattle (WA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Canonical is looking for an Open Source Networking Software Engineer to work on cutting-edge technologies like SoNIC and DPU in Seattle. This role involves designing software-defined networking solutions, coding in C/C++, and collaborating with partners in the open-source community. Ideal candidates will have a strong technical foundation, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a passion for networking technologies.

Benefits

Personal learning budget of USD 2,000 per year

Annual compensation review

Distributed work environment

Twice-yearly team sprints

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic track record is required.
• Proven knowledge of networking protocols, architecture, and design.
• Experience with open source networking technologies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work with advanced operating systems and network application technologies.
• Design and implement software-defined networking experiences.
• Collaborate with public clouds and network silicon providers.

Skills

Networking architecture

Linux networking

Programming in C/C++

Fluency in Python or Golang

Education

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM

Job description

Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU

Join to apply for the Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU role at Canonical

Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU role at Canonical

Software has moved to play a central role in network technology. From outstanding routing implementations like Bird and FRR to overlay networking technology such as OVN/OVS and Cilium, from kernel with SwitchDev to userspace with DPDK, from P4 to OpenFlow, the relationship between network innovation and software continues to deepen. We are building teams to bring the very best open source networking software to market in a well integrated and opinionated stack that brings the latest hyperscaler innovation to end users and enterprise customers.

We work with networking silicon providers to optimize Ubuntu and related applications for their ASICs, boards and appliances. We aim to provide a complete open source stack for data center networking, from bare metal through virtualization, container and serverless, and also to address IoT networking systematically.

You will have a good chance of success if you are an outstanding software engineer, passionate about networking, with a special interest in the interface of hardware ASICs for acceleration and software for innovation and control. We value experience in open switch initiatives such as SoNIC and DENT, and upstream experience with components such as routing, kernel networking, eBPF, DNS, firewalls and load balancers. Our selection process is rigorous and requires work from the candidate as six to eight interviews over a period of months. We look for excellent academic results and a commitment to quality, resilience, documentation, security and performance in your work.

At Canonical you will have the opportunity to engage with the broader open-source community and industry leading partners in developing future-proof networking solutions. We're looking for individuals who can help build a thriving community, contribute to a broad range of technologies, and contribute to the deployment of Ubuntu, Ubuntu Core, Private Clouds, MAAS and Kubernetes across a broad range of devices and use cases.

Location: we have network software engineering roles in APAC (Top-of-Rack switches) and Americas (SmartNIC/DPU) time zones.

What your day will look like

• Work with the most advanced operating systems and network application technologies available
• Participate upstream and deliver the Ubuntu SoNIC stack
• Collaborate with public clouds and network silicon providers
• Design and implement the best software-defined networking experience for the data center
• Write high-quality, well-designed, fast, secure and well-documented software
• Debug issues and produce high-quality fixes
• Collaborate proactively with a globally distributed organization
• Contribute to technical documentation to make it the best of its kind
• Display technical leadership internally, towards our partners, and in the open source communities
• Influence open-source projects and communities
• Work from home, with global travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks duration
  
  

What we are looking for in you

• An exceptional academic track record
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
• Drive and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
• Knowledge of networking: architecture, design, and protocols
• Understanding of Linux networking, from kernel to user space
• Fluency in C/C++ and at least one of Rust, Python or Golang
• Professional written and spoken English
• Experience with Linux
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self-motivation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each
  
  

Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring

• Familiarity with existing open source networking technologies: SONIC / SAI, kernel (e.g. eBPF, AF_XDP), DPDK, Switchdev, OVN, Open vSwitch.
• Familiarity with data path hardware acceleration protocols and interfaces, such as RDMA, RoCE, iWARP, NVMe, SR-IOV
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, and RISC-V
• Experience in complex IP network engineering and implementation
• Experience with virtualization technologies, e.g., QEMU, KVM, etc.
• Previous contribution to open source projects and community involvement
• Performance engineering and security experience
  
  

What we offer you

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
  
  

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world every day. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Software Development

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Canonical by 2x

Get notified about new Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA.

Software Engineer - AI/ML, Multiple Locations

Redmond, WA $81,900.00-$174,600.00 2 weeks ago

Software Engineer, Full Stack - Payments

Seattle, WA $140,000.00-$160,000.00 3 weeks ago

Seattle, WA $150,000.00-$175,000.00 2 weeks ago

Seattle, WA $140,000.00-$160,000.00 4 months ago

Software Engineer, Front-End - Product Engineering

Seattle, WA $140,000.00-$160,000.00 4 months ago

Software Engineer - Security, Multiple Locations

Redmond, WA $81,900.00-$174,600.00 4 days ago

Software Engineer - Systems, Multiple Locations

Seattle, WA $140,000.00-$170,000.00 2 months ago

Seattle, WA $85,000.00-$95,000.00 1 week ago

Seattle, WA $100,000.00-$130,000.00 6 days ago

Senior Software Engineer I - Full Stack (Remote Eligible)

Bellevue, WA $140,000.00-$200,000.00 2 months ago

Bellevue, WA $155,000.00-$205,000.00 9 months ago

Junior Software Engineer - Cross-platform C++ - Multipass

Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Fintech

Seattle, WA $142,000.00-$211,000.00 1 month ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.