Principal Software Engineer, SW Development

Job description

**Position Overview** We are seeking a Principal Full Stack Engineer to serve as the technical visionary for our cloud-based NMS platform, driving innovation in network management software and establishing our company as a leader in the network infrastructure management space. This role requires a recognized expert who can shape product strategy, influence industry standards, and lead transformational technology initiatives. **Key Responsibilities** - **Technical Vision**: Define the long-term technical roadmap for next-generation network management platforms - **Industry Leadership**: Drive adoption of new networking standards, protocols, and management paradigms - **Innovation Strategy**: Lead R&D initiatives in areas like AI-driven network operations, intent-based networking, and autonomous network management - **Strategic Partnerships**: Establish technical partnerships with major network equipment vendors and cloud providers - **Standards Participation**: Contribute to industry standards bodies (IEEE, IETF) and open-source networking projects - **Platform Evolution**: Guide platform evolution toward intent-based networking, zero-touch provisioning, and self-healing networks - **Customer Advisory**: Serve as chief technical advisor for strategic enterprise customers and their complex requirements - **Acquisitions Support**: Lead technical due diligence for potential acquisitions in the network management space - **Thought Leadership**: Represent the company at major networking conferences and publish thought leadership content - **Engineering Culture**: Shape engineering practices and culture specifically for network infrastructure software development **Expert-Level Technical Requirements** - **Network Innovation**: Deep expertise in emerging networking technologies (5G, WiFi 6E/7, SD-WAN, SASE, Network-as-a-Service) - **Intent-Based Networking**: Advanced knowledge of IBN principles, network abstraction, and declarative network management - **AI/ML in Networking**: Expert-level experience applying AI/ML to network operations, including AIOps and autonomous network management - **Cloud-Native Networking**: Mastery of cloud-native networking, service mesh, and container networking technologies - **Network Automation**: Deep expertise in network automation frameworks, infrastructure as code, and GitOps for network management - **Telemetry and Observability**: Advanced knowledge of network telemetry standards, streaming telemetry, and modern observability platforms - **Zero Trust Networking**: Expert understanding of zero trust network architecture and implementation - **Edge Computing**: Knowledge of edge computing platforms and distributed network management architectures **Industry Leadership Qualifications** - Master's degree in computer science, Network Engineering, or Electrical Engineering (PhD preferred) - 15+ years of experience in network software development with 8+ years in senior technical leadership - Recognized industry expert with speaking engagements at major networking conferences (Cisco Live, Juniper NXTWORK, etc.) - Published research or patents in network management, network automation, or related fields - Active participation in networking industry standards bodies or open-source projects - Deep relationships with major network equipment vendors and their engineering teams - Experience with network operator requirements and large-scale network deployments - Track record of successful technical leadership in scaling network management platforms **Business Impact & Market Understanding** - Deep understanding of network operations center (NOC) workflows and enterprise network management challenges - Knowledge of network service provider requirements and carrier-grade network management - Experience with network management market dynamics and competitive landscape - Understanding of network infrastructure procurement processes and enterprise buying cycles - Ability to translate complex networking concepts into business value propositions **Travel Requirements** - All levels: Up to 15-20% travel for customer meetings, industry conferences, vendor partnerships, and technical collaboration **Company Statement/Values:** At NETGEAR, we are on a mission to unleash the full potential of connectivity with intelligent solutions that delight and protect. We turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live. We're a performance-driven, talented and connected team that's committed to delivering world-class products for our customers. As a company, we value our employees as the most essential building blocks of our success. And as teammates, we commit to taking our work to the *Next Gear* by living our values: we **Dare to Transform** the future, **Connect and Delight** our customers, **Communicate Courageously** with each other and collaborate to **Win It Together**. You’ll find our values woven through our processes, present in our decisions, and celebrated throughout our culture. We strive to attract top talent and create a great workplace where people feel engaged, inspired, challenged, proud and respected. If you are creative, forward-thinking, passionate about technology and are looking for a rewarding career to make an impact, then you've got what it takes to succeed at NETGEAR. Join our network and help us shape the future of connectivity. *NETGEAR hires based on merit. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.*