Senior/Lead Software Engineer
Role summary
Arista is seeking a Senior/Lead Software Engineer with expert-level C programming skills and significant experience in Linux kernel development. This role focuses on firmware, BIOS, and booting software, requiring a strong background in software engineering principles, design, and implementation. You will own projects from conception to deployment, contributing to new features, debugging, and performance tuning. Responsibilities include tracking Linux kernel developments, developing and testing EOS kernel features, collaborating with hardware engineers and the kernel community, and mentoring junior engineers. A deep understanding of IP networking architecture and familiarity with x86/ARM architectures are essential.
### Who you are
- BS Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering + 8 years experience, or MS Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering + 6 years experience, or Ph.D. in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering + 3 years experience, or equivalent work experience
- Expert knowledge of and extensive experience programming in C required. Knowledge of C++ and Python is desirable
- Significant hands-on experience troubleshooting issues, fixing bugs and developing features in the Linux kernel
- Familiarity with Linux kernel architecture, design and implementation
- Familiarity with the upstream Linux community’s patching process and procedures
- Understanding of IP networking architecture, design and principles
- Applied understanding of modern software engineering principles and practices
- Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills
- Strong software design and implementation skills
- Ability to work independently and in small teams
- Ability to communicate articulately, and document your designs and implementations clearly, and concisely
- Familiarity with the x86 and ARM CPU architectures
### What the job involves
- Arista Software Engineering roles demand a strong and broad software engineering background
- While the primary focus area for this role is firmware, BIOS and booting software, your work will cover all aspects of software development spanning the design and development of new features, debugging problems and fine tuning code for reliability and performance
- You will own your projects from definition to deployment and customer interactions, and you will be responsible for the quality of everything you deliver
- Track ongoing developments in the Linux Kernel and identify features and functionality of interest to Arista for our products and for internal development needs
- Develop and maintain EOS Kernel features and tests using C, C++ and Python, review and contribute to functional and design specifications. Build automated tests and test infrastructure to validate the features
- Work with hardware engineers and vendors to qualify new Kernel dependent hardware components like CPUs and NICs for integration into Arista products
- Work with the Kernel community to contribute features back to the mainline
- Work with a team of Kernel engineers to integrate new versions of the Kernel for use in EOS and our internal development
- Provide technical leadership across features, projects and tools
- Work with Customer Support Engineers and customers to analyze, mitigate and fix problems in customer networks
- Work with the System Test Engineers to analyze problems found in their tests and provide fixes for those problems
- Mentor new and junior engineers to bring them up to speed in Arista’s software development environment
