Principal Kernel & Device Drivers Engineer

About this role

The era of pervasive AI has arrived. In this era, organizations will use generative AI to unlock hidden value in their data, accelerate processes, reduce costs, drive efficiency and innovation to fundamentally transform their businesses and operations at scale.

SambaNova Suite™ is the first full-stack, generative AI platform, from chip to model, optimized for enterprise and government organizations. Powered by the intelligent SN40L chip, the SambaNova Suite is a fully integrated platform, delivered on-premises or in the cloud, combined with state-of-the-art open-source models that can be easily and securely fine-tuned using customer data for greater accuracy. Once adapted with customer data, customers retain model ownership in perpetuity, so they can turn generative AI into one of their most valuable assets.

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

Submission Guidelines Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.

EEO Policy SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment Positions SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.

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