# Senior Staff Software Engineer, SDN Architecture

**Company:** [Crusoe](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/crusoe)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, Seattle, WA
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $250k – $300k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** software-defined networking, network function virtualization, C, C++, Go, Rust, linux kernel, xdp, ebpf, af_xdp, dpdk, smartnics, sr-iov, vdpa, virtio
**Posted:** 2026-08-04

> Designs and builds high-performance software-defined networking systems for AI and HPC workloads, spanning Linux internals, packet processing, virtualization, and GPU networking fabrics. Requires 8+ years of large-scale networking experience, strong systems programming skills, and a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Contribute to and refine the technical direction for Software-Defined Networking (SDN), translating strategy into plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
- Lead or participate in architecture reviews and author design documents for major SDN components.
- Review code for critical services.
- Build and optimize Linux kernel modules and high-performance drivers using XDP, eBPF, AF_XDP, and DPDK.
- Design and implement network architectures for GPU-to-GPU fabrics, high-speed Ethernet, and specialized AI clusters.
- Implement and tune virtualization features such as SR-IOV, vDPA, and virtio.
- Integrate advanced SmartNICs, DPUs, and IPUs.
- Troubleshoot production issues and perform deep performance tuning to maximize throughput and minimize latency.
- Evaluate emerging SDN and NFV technologies and contribute to strategically relevant open-source projects.
- Mentor engineers, review designs and code, and promote engineering excellence.
- Partner with software, operations, product, hardware, and infrastructure teams to deploy and manage architecture designs.

## Requirements
- 8+ years of experience building and operating large-scale networking systems in production, ideally in cloud or hyperscale data center environments.
- Strong SDN and NFV experience with systems programming in C, C++, Go, or Rust.
- Strong knowledge of Linux kernel architecture, memory management, the network stack, and device-driver development.
- Hands-on experience with kernel bypass and high-speed packet processing, including XDP, eBPF, AF_XDP, or DPDK.
- Familiarity with SmartNICs and accelerators such as NVIDIA ConnectX-6/7, BlueField-3, or Intel IPUs.
- Experience with network virtualization and data center fabrics, including Spine-Leaf, BGP, EVPN, and VXLAN, plus tools such as OVS or OVN.
- Knowledge of SR-IOV and vDPA, with the ability to debug control- and data-plane issues.
- Strong written communication and a collaborative, mentoring mindset.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related analytical field, or equivalent professional experience.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Contributions to OVS, OVN, Cilium, or Multus.
- Experience deploying and operating physical network devices.
- Experience with network automation or complex orchestration tooling.
- Experience building networking stacks for multi-node GPU training at scale.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation range of $250,000 to $300,000.
- Restricted Stock Units included in all offers.
- Paid time off, paid holidays, and leave-of-absence programs.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Employer HSA contributions.
- Paid parental leave.
- Paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement.
- Mental health and wellness support.
- Commuter benefits, cell phone stipend, and a 401(k) plan with company match up to 4% of salary.
- Volunteer time off, global travel insurance, emergency assistance, daily meals allowance, and location-specific programs.

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