Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU at Canonical

Job Description

• Software has moved to play a central role in network technology. From outstanding routing implementations like Bird and FRR to overlay networking technology such as OVN/OVS and Cilium, from kernel with SwitchDev to userspace with DPDK, from P4 to OpenFlow, the relationship between network innovation and software continues to deepen.
• We are building teams to bring the very best open source networking software to market in a well integrated and opinionated stack that brings the latest hyperscaler innovation to end users and enterprise customers.
• We work with networking silicon providers to optimize Ubuntu and related applications for their ASICs, boards and appliances. We aim to provide a complete open source stack for data center networking, from bare metal through virtualization, container and serverless, and also to address IoT networking systematically.
• You will have a good chance of success if you are an outstanding software engineer, passionate about networking, with a special interest in the interface of hardware ASICs for acceleration and software for innovation and control.
• We value experience in open switch initiatives such as SoNIC and DENT, and upstream experience with components such as routing, kernel networking, eBPF, DNS, firewalls and load balancers. 
• Our selection process is rigorous and requires work from the candidate as six to eight interviews over a period of months. We look for excellent academic results and a commitment to quality, resilience, documentation, security and performance in your work.
• At Canonical you will have the opportunity to engage with the broader open-source community and industry leading partners in developing future-proof networking solutions.
• We're looking for individuals who can help build a thriving community, contribute to a broad range of technologies, and contribute to the deployment of Ubuntu, Ubuntu Core, Private Clouds, MAAS and Kubernetes across a broad range of devices and use cases.
• We have network software engineering roles in EMEA and Americas time zones

Responsibilities

• Work with the most advanced operating systems and network application technologies available
• Participate upstream and deliver the Ubuntu SoNIC or DENT stacks
• Collaborate with public clouds and network silicon providers
• Design and implement the best software-defined networking experience for the data center
• Write high-quality, well-designed, fast, secure and well-documented software
• Debug issues and produce high-quality fixes
• Collaborate proactively with a globally distributed organization
• Contribute to technical documentation to make it the best of its kind
• Display technical leadership internally, towards our partners, and in the open source communities
• Influence open-source projects and communities
• Work from home, with global travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks duration

Requirements

• An exceptional academic track record
• Undergraduate Degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
• Drive and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
• Knowledge of networking: architecture, design, and protocols
• Understanding of Linux networking, from kernel to user space
• Fluency in C/C++ and at least one of Rust, Python or Golang
• Professional written and spoken English 
• Experience with Linux
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability 
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self-motivation 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills 
• Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments 
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Additional skills that you might also bring:

• Familiarity with existing open source networking technologies: SONIC / SAI, DENT, kernel (e.g. eBPF, AF_XDP), DPDK, Switchdev, OVN, Open vSwitch.
• Familiarity with data path hardware acceleration protocols and interfaces, such as RDMA, RoCE, iWARP, NVMe, SR-IOV
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, and RISC-V
• Experience in complex IP network engineering and implementation
• Experience with virtualization technologies, e.g., QEMU, KVM, etc.
• Previous contribution to open source projects and community involvement
• Performance engineering and security experience

What We Offer You

• We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance.
• In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events