Principal Software Development Engineer in Test

Akamai Technologies GmbH; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Akamai is seeking a Principal SDET / Principal Software Development Engineer in Test to shape the test strategy for its Linux kernel components powering a global AI and Compute platform.

You will design scalable automated testing, validate kernel enhancements, and help port changes to newer kernel versions and VM infrastructure. The role emphasizes reliability, performance, and security across complex infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience in C software validation/development with Linux kernel infrastructure and scripting.
• Deep understanding of Linux kernel internals (KVM, virtio drivers, cgroups, memory management, file systems, block IO, ethernet drivers, TCP/IP).
• Extensive experience with Linux kernel debugging tools, performance benchmarking, and CI/test frameworks.
• Motivated self-starter and established technical leader who thrives on collaboration to solve complex infrastructure challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable automated test frameworks to validate performance, reliability, and security of the Akamai Linux kernel for AI and Compute platforms.
• Develop test suites to validate new custom enhancements and port modifications to newer kernel versions and VM infrastructure software.
• Debug, isolate, and troubleshoot complex low-level system issues in testing and simulated production environments.
• Architect and enhance build and test automation to achieve robust, continuous integration and testing.
• Provide technical leadership, set quality standards, and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Linux kernel

C programming

CI / testing frameworks

Scripting: Python/Shell/Perl

Debugging tools

Technical leadership

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Are you passionate about system performance, reliability, and security?

Does the opportunity to improve the platform running Akamai's AI and Compute platform excite you?

Join our Cloud Platform Infrastructure Group - Linux Infrastructure team

Our team is part of Cloud Platform Infrastructure Group. At the core of Akamai infrastructure, we work on complex and exciting systems that are available 24/7.

Partner with the best

Responsibilities

As a Principal SDET, you will lead the test strategy for Akamai's custom Linux kernel. You will design scalable continuous testing infrastructure and troubleshoot complex system issues. This will help validate feature functionality and maximize the performance of a global AI and Compute platform known for its dependability.

As a Principal Software Development Engineer in Test, you will be responsible for:

• Designing, building, and scaling advanced automated test frameworks to validate the performance, reliability, and security of the Akamai Linux kernel for AI and Compute platforms
• Developing test suites to validate new custom enhancements and facilitate porting existing Akamai modifications to newer versions of the Linux kernel and VM infrastructure software
• Debugging, isolating, and troubleshooting complex, low-level system issues found in a variety of testing and simulated production environments
• Architecting and enhancing existing build and test automation infrastructure to achieve robust, continuous integration and testing
• Providing technical leadership, setting quality standards, and mentoring junior members of the organization

Qualifications

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have 12 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent
• Have experience in software validation/development in C with a solid focus on Linux kernel infrastructure and experience in scripting (Python/Shell/Perl)
• Possess a deep understanding of Linux kernel internals (KVM, virtio drivers, cgroups, memory management, file systems, block IO, ethernet drivers, and TCP/IP stack)
• Have extensive experience with Linux kernel debugging tools, performance benchmarking, and continuous testing/CI frameworks
• Be a motivated self-starter and established technical leader who thrives on collaborating with others to solve highly complex infrastructure challenges

About us

At Akamai, we make life better for billions of people, trillions of times a day. We provide the world's most distributed platform from Cloud to Edge to help the giants of the digital world work faster and stay more secure, making the internet a better experience for everyone.

Our focus is simple:

• Cloud and Edge: Running apps closer to users for instant performance.
• Security: Neutralizing threats before they ever reach your data.
• Content Delivery: Scaling the world's biggest moments without a glitch.
• AI: Enabling our customers to build, secure, and scale AI apps on the world's most distributed cloud platform.

Benefits at Akamai: We support your health, well-being, finances, and life beyond work. See our benefits.

FlexBase

FlexBase adapts to your job's needs

Akamai's FlexBase program is yet another way we show our commitment to providing employees with an exceptional workplace experience. It's not about telling employees where to work; it's about supporting employees to do their best work. We trust our incredible employees to work in ways that suit them best: at home, in an office, or a combination of both.