Principal Kernel & Device Drivers Engineer
About the role
SambaNova is seeking a Principal Engineer to own kernel-level drivers and low-level software for high-speed IO, memory, and networking subsystems within the DataScale® platform and RDU architecture. This role is central to delivering reliable, high-performance AI systems at scale. This is a hands-on Linux kernel and device driver role; it is not an application or platform software role.
You will lead software bring-up of new silicon, deliver production drivers across the IO, memory, and network data paths, and debug complex issues spanning kernel, firmware, and hardware. This role suits an engineer with deep kernel and driver expertise and strong hardware fluency, who can operate in ambiguity and execute with high ownership.
Responsibilities
Own kernel-space drivers for high-speed IO, memory, and networking subsystems, from architecture through production release
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 with hardware, firmware, and validation teams
Own PHY and link bring-up in coordination with hardware teams, working from specifications and register documentation
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 at data center scale
Set code quality standards through design and code review, and mentor engineers on the team
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
Preferred Qualifications
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
Base Salary Range:
Base Pay Range
$180,000—$255,000 USD