Principal Kernel & Device Drivers Engineer

The role

This person will own kernel-level drivers and low-level software for high-speed IO, memory, and networking subsystems within the DataScale platform and RDU architecture. The role involves leading software bring-up of new silicon and delivering production drivers.

What you will do

• Own kernel-space drivers for high-speed IO, memory, and networking subsystems
• Own the RDMA and network data path, including queue-pair management, congestion control, QoS, and packet classification
• Lead software enablement for platform bring-up across new silicon and system configurations
• Drive issues to root cause across kernel, firmware, and hardware layers
• Own PHY and link bring-up in coordination with hardware teams
• Build tools, test scripts, and frameworks for device and NIC verification, performance analysis, and manufacturing test
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks across driver, network stack, and system layers
• Set code quality standards through design and code review, and mentor engineers

Required qualifications

• MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in kernel or low-level system software development
• Deep expertise in Linux systems programming and kernel driver development
• Strong knowledge of Linux kernel networking, including network driver development and the RDMA protocol
• Strong C/C++ programming and debugging skills, with scripting in Python or shell
• Experience with two or more high-speed IO or interconnect technologies such as PCIe, Ethernet, or CXL
• Proven ability to lead hardware-software co-debug from first silicon to production
• Ability to read and distill hardware specifications and register-level documentation
• Clear and effective communicator with a proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving

Nice to have

• Hands-on RDMA data-path or driver implementation experience
• Experience with virtual switching and data center networking at scale
• Experience writing test scripts to verify NIC behavior
• Firmware development experience
• Exposure to pre-silicon validation using FPGA or emulation platforms
• Background in high-performance computing or accelerator-based systems

Benefits

• Base salary plus equity
• 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance
• 77% premium coverage for dependents
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care
• Headspace subscription
• Gympass+ membership
• One Medical membership
• Counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program

Before you apply

• You must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified

About the company

SambaNova is a leader in next-generation AI infrastructure, delivering a full-stack inference platform for customers worldwide. Its core technology is the RDU (Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit).