Senior Engineer I, Smart Switch Software Development

About this job

The Senior Engineer I position at NETGEAR involves designing, developing, and maintaining embedded Linux firmware for the company's smart switch product families. NETGEAR has a long history of pioneering advanced networking technology, offering innovative products that connect people and power businesses, with their smart switch line serving enterprises globally through advanced managed switching and cloud-based management via NETGEAR Insight. In this role, you will act as a technical anchor for the Smart Switch firmware team, working at the intersection of hardware and software. A normal day consists of working with switch ASIC SDKs, implementing and optimizing L2/L3 networking protocols, developing kernel modules, ensuring production-quality firmware for ARM64 and MIPS-based networking devices, and collaborating closely with various engineering teams. Additionally, the role embraces AI-augmented workflows, where you will orchestrate AI coding agents for implementation tasks while focusing your expertise on architecture, system design, and validation.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the hardware abstraction layer bridging the switch ASIC SDK with application-layer software.
• Implement, debug, and optimize L2/L3 protocol state machines as kernel modules in conformance with IEEE and IETF standards.
• Contribute to multi-unit stacking features including topology management, member election, and cross-unit configuration synchronization.
• Develop and maintain firmware across ARM64 and MIPS architectures for multiple product families.
• Conduct code reviews, define coding standards, and mentor junior team members.
• Maintain cross-compilation build systems and support release engineering processes.
• Leverage AI coding agents daily for code generation, review, debugging, and rapid prototyping.

Requirements

• B.Tech/B.E or M.Tech/M.E in Computer Science, Electronics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in embedded software development, with at least 3 years focused on networking or telecommunications.
• Strong proficiency in C programming for embedded Linux systems.
• Hands-on experience with at least two L2/L3 networking protocols such as STP, IGMP snooping, LLDP, LACP, or 802.1X.
• Experience developing or maintaining Linux kernel modules like character devices or network drivers.
• Familiarity with ARM64 or MIPS cross-compilation toolchains and embedded Linux build systems.
• Strong debugging skills using GDB, strace, kernel analysis, and packet capture tools.
• Demonstrated daily use of AI coding agents or AI-assisted development tools.

Good to have

• Direct experience with switch ASIC SDKs like Realtek, Broadcom, or Marvell.
• Experience with switch stacking or chassis-based distributed systems.
• Familiarity with network management protocols including SNMP, CLI frameworks, and REST APIs.
• Experience with Docker-based build environments and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with agentic engineering workflows.

Who should apply

This role suits experienced embedded software professionals who have a strong background in networking protocols and Linux kernel development. Candidates should be comfortable acting as a technical anchor and mentor, while also being eager to embrace modern AI-augmented workflows and agentic engineering practices in their daily tasks. Freshers should not apply, as the position requires at least 8 years of professional experience.

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