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

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

Canonical is seeking an Open Source Networking Software Engineer to join our team to work on ToR switches, SmartNICs, and DPUs. This role focuses on integrating and enhancing open-source networking software to help define the data center of the future.

Role Overview

In this role you will design, implement, test, and maintain open-source networking software that powers modern data-center hardware. You will collaborate with open-source communities and Canonical hardware/engineering teams to advance SoNIC, Dent, and related technologies for top-of-rack switches, SmartNICs, and DPUs. You will optimize performance, contribute to documentation and CI/CD workflows, and participate in code reviews. Mentoring junior engineers may be part of your responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Integrate and enhance open-source networking software such as SoNIC and Dent for top-of-rack and SmartNIC innovation to define the data center of the future.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain networking software for data-center hardware.
• Collaborate with open-source communities and Canonical hardware/engineering teams on ToR switches, SmartNICs, and DPUs.
• Optimize performance, contribute to documentation and CI/CD workflows, and participate in code reviews.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers as needed.

Qualifications (typical)

Strong background in systems software development and Linux networking. Experience with open-source development workflows (Git, GitHub) and networking abstractions. Proficiency in languages such as C/C++ (and Python) and familiarity with open-source networking projects. Understanding of ToR switches, SmartNICs, DPUs, and hardware acceleration is a plus.