Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers

Overview

Samba Nova is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop kernel‑level drivers and low‑level software for high‑speed IO and memory subsystems within the Data Scale® platform and RDU architecture. The role enables 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, the engineer builds 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.

• 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 lead code reviews.
• Support system bring‑up from early silicon through production.
• Debug complex issues across kernel, firmware, and hardware layers and drive them to root cause and resolution.
• Support PHY initialization and validation across high‑speed interfaces and debug related issues.
• Interpret hardware specifications and schematics to guide bring‑up and debugging.
• 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.

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in kernel or low‑level system software development.

• Familiarity with Linux kernel, drivers, user‑space libraries, and applications.
• Strong C/C++ programming and debugging skills; scripting experience in Python and 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 tool chains (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.

Base salary range: $120,000—$200,000 USD.

We offer a competitive total rewards package, including base salary, equity, and benefits. The benefits include 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, 77% coverage for dependents, Health Savings Account with employer contribution, Dental, Vision, Disability (short/long term), Life, Voluntary Life, AD&D insurance, Flexible Spending Account options, and well‑being benefits such as Headspace, Gympass+, One Medical membership, counseling services through an Employee Assistance Program, and more.

Samba Nova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.