Principal Software Engineer (10378, 10382, 10385)

Extreme Networks; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible work options

401K matching

Stock purchase program

Career development

Job summary

Extreme Networks seeks a Principal Software Engineer to help lead the development of scalable, cloud-native platforms for intelligent networking. You will drive real-time distributed systems, AI-enabled features, and secure, observable services across Extreme.

This role offers mentorship, impact on product strategy, and high-visibility work. The position is based in Seattle or San Jose and reports to the Director of SW Systems Engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years across the complete software development lifecycle including architecture, design, coding, reviews, testing, build, deployment, operations.
• 8+ years of programming with Python, Java, Go, or C++.
• 5+ years leading design/architecture of large-scale distributed systems on cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/Google Cloud).
• Experience in real-time microservices, stream processing, distributed data platforms or large-scale analytics.
• Experience designing systems processing high-volume data with scalable, available, low-latency requirements.
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading an engineering team.
• Ability to tackle highly complex technical problems and deliver production-ready solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of core platforms and services for scalable, real-time networking and AI-enabled features.
• Architect and guide distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, and secure, observable services.
• Mentor engineers and drive technical direction across the team.

Skills

Python

Java

Go

C++

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Real-time data processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Master's/PhD in a relevant discipline

Tools

Kafka

Spark

Flink

PySpark

MapReduce

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 our digital transformation efforts and deliver unprecedented progress.

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

Position details

Title of position: Principal Software 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

Scope

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.

About the position

• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of experience across the complete software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, coding, code reviews, testing, build processes, deployment, and production operations.
• 8+ years of programming experience, with proficiency in at least one general‑purpose programming language, preferably Python, Java, Go, or C++.
• 5+ 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.

  Come work with a team of highly talented engineers and advance with us as we build the next generation of intelligent networking systems.

• Salary based on qualifications, experience and region up to USD 190 k to 210K plus benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

1. 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.
2. 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.

$220,000 - $250,000 a year

This role offers a market‑competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range of 220,000 to 250,000 USD. Actual compensation will depend on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and work location. The posted range reflects the amount Extreme Networks reasonably and in good faith expects to pay upon hire. This range is determined using objective, gender‑neutral criteria based on skills, experience, responsibility, and working conditions. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a performance‑based bonus and the full benefits package described below.

Benefits and total rewards:

Extreme Networks offers a comprehensive benefits package. Specific benefits vary by country and may include:

• 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 401K 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.