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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Kernel & Device Drivers Engineer - **Company:** Greenhouse Software, Inc. - **Location:** San Jose, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $180,000.0 - $255,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Code Review, Protocol Stack, Computer Programming, System Configuration, Network Congestion, Data Centers, Software Debugging, Linux, Device Drivers, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, PCI Express, Remote Direct Memory Access, Release Management, System Programming, System Software, Virtual Switching, Scripting, High Performance Computing, Test Scripts, Data Center Networking, Information Technology, Build Tools - **Published:** September 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/embed/job_app?for=sambanovasystems&token=5869372004 ## About the Role * 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, * 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 ## Description 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 ## Related Videos - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [The Gashlycrumb Tinies of AI Networking You Must Know (or Languish!)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2067-the-gashlycrumb-tinies-of-ai-networking-you-must-know-or-languish) - [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) - [A Hitchhikers Guide to Container Security - Automotive Edition 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1119-a-hitchhikers-guide-to-container-security-automotive-edition-2024) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [A Guide to Green Tech and Green IT Careers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/374-a-guide-to-green-tech-and-green-it-careers) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)