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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers - **Company:** SambaNova Systems, Inc. - **Location:** San Jose, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $120,000.0 - $200,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), CMake, Software Quality, Code Review, Computer Programming, System Configuration, Software Debugging, Linux, Programming Tools, Device Drivers, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, PCI Express, System Programming, System Software, Toolchain, Scripting, Git, Information Technology, Build Tools, Docker, Jenkins - **Published:** August 3, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=973f534358f3cfe5 ## About the Role * BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field * 5+ years of experience in kernel or low-level system software development Additional Required Qualifications * Familiar with Linux kernel, drivers, user space libraries, and applications with strong Linux fundamentals * Strong C/C++ programming and debugging skills; scripting experience (Python, shell) * Experience with high-speed IO or interconnects such as PCIe, Ethernet, or similar technologies * Experience with system bring-up and hardware-software co-debug * Experience with manufacturing test flows * Familiarity with development tools such as Git, Docker, Jenkins, or Bazel * Familiarity with build systems and toolchains (GCC, LLVM, Make, CMake) * Strong ownership and ability to drive issues to resolution * Clear communicator with a collaborative, problem-solving mindset, * Experience with PHY bring-up and initialization * Ability to read and understand hardware specifications and register-level documentation * Exposure to pre-silicon validation (FPGA, emulation) and post-silicon bring-up * Familiarity with board schematics and low-level hardware interaction * Solid debugging skills using logs, trace tools (GDB), JTAG, or hardware debuggers * Background in high-performance or accelerator-based systems ## Description SambaNova is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop kernel-level drivers and low-level software for high-speed IO and memory subsystems within the DataScale® platform and RDU architecture. You will enable system bring-up, debug complex cross-layer issues, and deliver production-quality software that scales across systems and deployments. Working across kernel, firmware, and hardware, you will build robust, maintainable drivers and frameworks supporting validation, manufacturing, and system performance. This is a hands-on role for an engineer with strong low-level programming skills, solid hardware understanding, and a focus on reliability, performance, and code quality., Kernel & Driver Development * Develop and maintain kernel-space drivers for high-speed IO and memory subsystems * Enable platform bring-up and support driver integration across new silicon and system configurations * Write clean, maintainable, production-quality code and drive code reviews System Bring-Up & Debug * Support system bring-up from early silicon through production * Debug complex issues across kernel, firmware, and hardware layers * Drive issues to root cause and resolution in collaboration with cross-functional teams PHY & Hardware Interaction * Support PHY initialization and validation across high-speed interfaces * Debug issues related to IO, memory, and PHY subsystems in coordination with hardware teams * Interpret hardware specifications and schematics to guide bring-up and debug Performance & Validation Software * Develop tools and frameworks for performance analysis, validation, and manufacturing test * Identify system bottlenecks and implement optimizations across driver and system layers * Enable post-silicon validation through software automation and infrastructure ## Related Videos - [The best of two worlds - Bringing enterprise-grade Linux to the vehicle](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/67-the-best-of-two-worlds-bringing-enterprise-grade-linux-to-the-vehicle) - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)