Key Responsibilities :
End-to-End Architecture : Lead the greenfield architecture and design of the entire L2/L3 networking stack, including the data plane (Fast Path) and control plane interactions, for a new platform.
Core Protocol Development : Develop high-performance, scalable, and robust code in Embedded C on Linux for the data plane, focusing on L2/L3 forwarding and feature implementation.
L4-L7 Service Integration : Design, implement, and integrate critical L4-L7 protocols with a mandatory focus on OpenSSL, NAT, IPsec, and MacSec.
NOS Expertise : Leverage your deep understanding of Network Operating System (NOS) internals to ensure seamless integration, performance tuning, and system stability.
Line-Rate Processing : Implement logic for line-rate packet processing, including specific requirements for regular expression (RegEx) matching in the data path.
Container Networking : Architect and integrate solutions for container networking, ensuring efficient and scalable connectivity for modern applications.
Validation & Performance Tuning : Utilize traffic generation tools like IXIA to perform rigorous performance validation, stress testing, and functional verification of the entire software stack.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship : Act as the senior technical authority. Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and establish a center of excellence for network protocol development within the team.
Required Skills & Qualifications (Must-Haves) :
Experience : 12-18 years of hands-on experience in network protocol development, with a proven track record of architecting complex networking software.
Programming : Expert-level proficiency in Embedded C and a strong command of the Linux development environment.
NOS Internals : Exhaustive, hands-on knowledge of NOS internals, control plane/data plane separation, and Fast Path / data plane acceleration techniques.
L2/L3 Protocols : Deep, architectural understanding of L2 switching (VLANs, STP, LACP) and L3 routing (OSPF, BGP, VRF, ECMP).
L4-L7 Mandatory Protocols : Demonstrable, deep implementation experience with the following :
OpenSSL (Integration, session management, crypto offload)
NAT (SNAT, DNAT, connection tracking)
IPsec (Tunnel/Transport mode, IKEv1/v2, ESP/AH)
MacSec (IEEE 802.1AE)
IP Networking Stack : Comprehensive knowledge of the IP networking stack (TCP/IP, UDP) and packet flow through a system.
Testing Tools : Proven experience using IXIA or Spirent for creating complex traffic profiles, performance benchmarking, and debugging.
Container Networking : Solid understanding of container networking concepts (e.g., CNI, veth pairs, network namespaces, overlays).
Desired Skills & Qualifications (Nice-to-Haves) :
Experience with network processors, DPUs, or SmartNICs (e.g., Broadcom, Marvell, NVIDIA).
Proficiency in Python for automation and testing.
Familiarity with hardware-accelerated regex engines.
Prior experience in a customer-facing or solutions architect role.

L2/L3 Protocol Development Engineer - Networking Stack

Job Description

Required Skills