Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer – Embedded Linux & Optical Networking Systems

This role focuses on developing chassis-level firmware and system control software for large-scale optical networking platforms. You will work on embedded Linux–based user-space applications that sit above low-level real-time firmware, concentrating on system integration, northbound interfaces, networking protocols, redundancy, and overall system reliability. The platform includes a controller and management card acting as the master, multiple line cards handling optical and transport functions, and a user-facing control plane that abstracts and manages the underlying hardware. You will build and enhance software that manages provisioning, upgrades, fault handling, security, and communication between hardware subsystems and customer-facing interfaces.

Responsibilities:

• Develop embedded Linux firmware and system-level software for chassis controllers and management cards.
• Implement and maintain northbound interfaces, including NETCONF, RESTCONF, gRPC, and other APIs used by customer-facing systems.
• Design, implement, and support system provisioning, configuration management, and fault detection capabilities.
• Architect, design, and support in-service software upgrades (ISSU) to enable seamless, zero-downtime software updates where possible.
• Implement redundancy and high-availability logic, such as active/standby controller architectures and failover mechanisms for telecom-grade systems.
• Collaborate closely with line card teams to integrate hardware and optical subsystems into a cohesive chassis-level solution.
• Support lab testing, system bring-up, and integration activities for new hardware and software releases.
• Assist with customer interactions when needed, including troubleshooting, deployment support, and field issue resolution.
• Contribute to security mechanisms, including authentication, access control, and mitigation of misuse or denial-of-service type behavior.
• Ensure robust communication and coordination between hardware subsystems and customer-facing interfaces within the control plane.
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and system-level debugging to maintain high quality and reliability.
• Document designs, interfaces, and operational procedures to support ongoing maintenance and future enhancements.

Essential Skills:

• Strong experience with Embedded Linux, with emphasis on user-space application development rather than only bare-metal or RTOS environments.
• Systems-level mindset with the ability to design, debug, and optimize complex, networked hardware platforms such as controllers, chassis, or appliances.
• Hands-on experience developing software for network-oriented embedded systems.
• Solid understanding of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking concepts, including routing fundamentals, switching concepts, and control-plane versus data-plane separation.
• Experience working on networked hardware platforms that include controllers, chassis, or telecom appliances.
• Exposure to optical networking, telecom, or transport systems such as DWDM/OTN systems, optical transport platforms, or carrier-grade networking equipment.
• Familiarity with Layer 0 and Layer 1 concepts, at least at a modeling or management level, in the context of optical or transport systems.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded and systems-level software development.
• Proficiency in Python for tooling, automation, and system-level scripting.
• Experience with embedded software and firmware development in Linux-based environments.
• Ability to design and implement high-availability and redundant systems in telecom or carrier-grade environments.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills for complex, distributed, and hardware-integrated systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with NETCONF, RESTCONF, or gRPC for implementing northbound management and control interfaces.
• Exposure to optical components such as amplifiers, wavelength selective switches (WSS), optical supervisory channels (OSC), and lasers.
• Experience implementing or supporting in-service software upgrades (ISSU) in networked or telecom systems.
• Experience in security hardening for embedded and networked systems, including authentication, secure configuration, and resilience against misuse or denial-of-service behavior.
• Prior work supporting customer deployments or field issues, including troubleshooting and resolving complex system problems.
• Experience with telecom-grade redundancy architectures, including active/standby controllers and high-availability mechanisms.
• Familiarity with network protocols and technologies such as LLDP, OSPF, and BGP.
• Exposure to Go as an additional programming language is a plus.
• Experience working with APIs and control-plane integration in large-scale networking or optical platforms.
• Understanding of optical networking and transport technologies across Layer 0, Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3.

Work Environment:

You will work in an environment centered on large-scale optical networking platforms that combine embedded Linux controllers, multiple line cards, and a user-facing control plane. The role focuses on software that runs on chassis controllers and management cards, interfacing with optical and transport subsystems and customer-facing management systems. Day-to-day work involves developing and debugging embedded Linux user-space applications, working closely with hardware and optical engineering teams, and participating in lab-based integration and system bring-up activities. You will use tools and technologies such as C, C++, Python, Embedded Linux, NETCONF, RESTCONF, gRPC, and networking protocols including LLDP, OSPF, and BGP. The environment emphasizes high reliability, telecom-grade redundancy, and in-service upgrades, requiring careful design and thorough testing. Work typically includes a mix of focused development time, collaborative design and code reviews, and hands-on lab work with chassis, line cards, optical components, and networking equipment.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Permanent position based out of Horsham, PA.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $180000.00/yr. 401k match, stock options, year end bonus's

Workplace Type:

This is a hybrid position in Horsham, PA.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 10, 2026.