# Software Engineer

**Company:** [xAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/xai)
**Location:** Palo Alto, CA, Seattle, WA
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $180k – $440k/yr
**Experience:** 2+ years
**Skills:** C++, C, Networking Protocols, Udp, TCP/IP, Rdma, Distributed Systems, Datacenter Networking, Real-Time Systems, High-Performance Computing, Low-Latency Networking
**Posted:** 2026-07-02

> Develop core networking software including routing, traffic engineering, and real-time switch software for xAI's Colossus GPU cluster. Requires strong C/C++ experience and knowledge of high-performance networking and distributed systems.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop routing and traffic-engineering algorithms for the Colossus high-performance datacenter network.
- Develop highly reliable, real-time software designed to run on the switches that form the backbone of our low-latency, high-bandwidth AI training fabric.
- Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
- Develop prototypes and run experiments to validate key design decisions at both small and full-cluster scale.
- Build tools for software development, deployment, data analysis, visualization, and testing across virtualized environments, hardware-in-the-loop setups, and live production clusters.
- Deploy reliable software updates through continuous integration and release systems with rigorous testing and monitoring.

## Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a related technical discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software development experience in lieu of a degree.
- Strong development experience in C or C++.

## Preferred Skills and Experience
- Strong professional experience writing high-performance C/C++ in production environments.
- Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software that runs at scale in real-world systems.
- Deep knowledge of networking protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, RDMA, etc.), distributed systems, and large-scale datacenter fabrics.
- Background in real-time systems, high-performance computing, low-latency networking, or resource-constrained environments.
- Creative problem-solving ability with exceptional analytical skills and strong engineering fundamentals.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving requirements.
- Experience with security considerations in large-scale distributed systems.

## Additional Requirements
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

## Compensation and Benefits
- $180,000 - $440,000 USD total compensation (base salary is one part; package also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, and perks).

## Similar roles

- [Software Engineer - Backend](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/28c58ad9-4e65-4a09-9bfa-4791a6d9c56a) - HappyRobot - San Francisco, CA - $180k – $220k/yr
- [Software Engineer - Backend](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6de13da4-6414-4310-aa70-8645ee84a5b3) - dYdX - New York, NY - $180k – $240k/yr
- [Software Engineer, Backend](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4b6a7bbb-42d0-4c79-9843-dc11e121a002) - Plaid - San Francisco, CA - $176k – $244k/yr
- [Software Engineer, Backend](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/ec4cf948-90a5-4961-9fcf-88a494368bf0) - Mirage - New York, NY - $175k – $275k/yr
- [C++ Trading & Simulator Engineer (USA)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/90963fd5-3491-49f4-9afb-a0cd3586a716) - Trexquant - Stamford, CT - $175k – $200k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/420b23ca-06e9-4bb1-ae43-1191644ba090
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/420b23ca-06e9-4bb1-ae43-1191644ba090