Principal Software Engineer

Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 349,000; Full time

Job summary

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is seeking a Principal Systems Software Engineer to lead Linux system-management and monitoring infrastructure for Debian-based platforms. You will design Go-based tools to manage software lifecycles, monitor health, and improve observability across our Linux fleet.

The role requires 10+ years in software development, strong Go production experience, and deep Linux knowledge, including systemd and Debian packaging.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development experience, including substantial systems-software experience.
• Strong professional experience developing production software in Go.
• Deep knowledge of Linux user space, including system calls, signals, processes, filesystems, and interprocess communication.
• Strong understanding of systemd, journald, Linux service management, and system diagnostics.
• Hands‑on experience with Debian packaging, APT, dpkg, dependency management, and package lifecycle operations.
• Experience designing reliable, maintainable software used in production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead architecture decisions and influence technical direction.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain Go-based Linux user-space system-management tools.
• Develop tooling to inspect installed packages and manage updates via APT/dpkg interfaces.
• Build mechanisms to monitor service status, health metrics, and system events using systemd/journald.
• Implement automated log collection, retrieval, and parsing for troubleshooting.
• Own the packaging of internal software into production-ready .deb packages.
• Define and lead transitions toward modular, maintainable system-management services.
• Establish engineering standards, conduct design reviews, mentor engineers, and influence direction.

Skills

Go development

Linux internals

Systemd/Journald

Architecture leadership

Software design

Go production software

Debian packaging

Interprocess communication

Go tooling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Debian packaging

APT

dpkg

systemd

journald

Go

Job description

This role has been designed as “Onsite” with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what’s next. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you. Open up opportunities with HPE.

Who We Are

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what’s next. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you. Open up opportunities with HPE.

Job Description

Principal Systems Software Engineer — Linux Systems

We are seeking a Principal Systems Software Engineer to lead the development of Linux system-management and monitoring infrastructure for our Debian-based platforms. This role is suited to an experienced systems engineer who enjoys working across application architecture, operating-system interfaces, and production reliability.

You will design and build Go-based tools that manage software lifecycles, monitor service health, collect operational data, and improve observability across our Linux fleet.

Key Responsibilities

• System Management Tooling: Design, build, and maintain Go applications for Linux user-space system management on Debian-based distributions.
• Package Management: Develop tooling to inspect installed packages, manage updates using APT and dpkg interfaces, and detect version or dependency inconsistencies.
• Service Observability: Build mechanisms to monitor service status, health metrics, and system events using technologies such as systemd and journald.
• Diagnostics and Logging: Implement automated log collection, retrieval, and parsing to support troubleshooting and incident response.
• Debian Packaging: Own the packaging of internal software into production-ready .deb packages, including dependency definitions, lifecycle scripts, and release processes.
• Architecture: Define and lead the transition toward modular, maintainable system-management services while preserving reliability, performance, and operational simplicity.
• Technical Leadership: Establish engineering standards, conduct design reviews, mentor engineers, and influence technical direction across relevant teams.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development experience, including substantial systems-software experience.
• Strong professional experience developing production software in Go.
• Deep knowledge of Linux user space, including system calls, signals, processes, filesystems, and interprocess communication.
• Strong understanding of systemd, journald, Linux service management, and system diagnostics.
• Hands‑on experience with Debian packaging, APT, dpkg, dependency management, and package lifecycle operations.
• Experience designing reliable, maintainable software used in production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead architecture decisions and influence technical direction.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing distributed systems or service-oriented architectures.
• Python experience for automation, scripting, or maintaining existing system utilities.
• Familiarity with AppArmor, SELinux, secure boot, or related Linux security technologies.
• Experience profiling and optimizing Go applications using tools such as pprof.
• Experience optimizing resource usage on embedded, appliance, or server-grade Linux systems.
• Familiarity with automated testing, CI/CD, release engineering, and production monitoring.

Technical Environment

The role involves Go, Python, Debian-based Linux, APT, dpkg, systemd, journald, Linux service management, package lifecycle automation, and system observability tooling. The environment may include both embedded and server-grade systems deployed across a large Linux fleet.

Why This Role?

You will develop foundational software that helps keep the operating system reliable, secure, and observable. Your architectural decisions will influence the tools and services used across the organization’s Linux fleet, giving you significant technical ownership and impact.

Accessibility

HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.

Note: This option is reserved for applicants needing assistance/reasonable accommodation related to a disability.

What We Can Offer You

Health & Wellbeing

We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development

We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have — whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

Unconditional Inclusion

We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.

Let's Stay Connected

Follow @HPECareers on Instagram to see the latest on people, culture and tech at HPE.

#unitedstates

#networking

Job

Engineering

Job Level

TCP_05

The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.

– United States of America: Annual Salary USD 172,000 - 349,000 in California.

The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered.

Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html

HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities

HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.