The Principal Member of Technical Staff will lead the development and management of software solutions that integrate with advanced networking technologies. This role involves defining high-level objectives and delivery procedures for software projects, organizing technical milestones, and supporting tasks. The candidate will often serve as the project technical lead, coordinating the efforts of two or three engineers, advising the project/program manager, and collaborating with immediate and skip-level leadership to ensure alignment with organizational goals. As a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) with a focus on networking, the Principal Member of Technical Staff will take responsibility for complex projects, including the development of software for network operating systems and related infrastructure. The role requires decomposing high-level architectures into detailed software designs, leading the development of solutions that involve multiple modules with complex interactions, and ensuring that these solutions are properly supported by monitoring and automation systems. In this capacity, the candidate will act as an SME for root cause analysis and frequently develop scripts to automate complex tasks that bridge software and networking functions. They may also lead software automation design and delivery projects specifically tailored to network operations. The Principal Member of Technical Staff will offer broad guidance to technical and senior technical staff, interpreting input from leaders (technical and managerial) and mentoring junior engineers. The candidate will conduct technical coaching sessions and help team members develop skills in both software engineering and networking. Collaboration with vendor engineering and account managers is critical, particularly in addressing current business or operational challenges related to network operating systems and network automation tools. The candidate will participate in the development of RFQ/RFPs and may lead the adoption of new software tools or platforms that integrate with networking hardware. Active communication with product teams is essential, as the candidate will drive technology to meet product and service requirements, working closely with product teams, networking leadership, and the PMO to assess gaps, solutions, and needs.

 Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field is preferred.
- At least 8 years of related experience in software engineering with a focus on networking.
- Strong expertise in network operating systems and experience working with networking hardware.
- Experience in developing software solutions for large enterprise or cloud provider environments.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar.
- Knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, TCP/IP) and technologies (e.g., VPN, DNS, DHCP, MPLS).
- Experience with network automation, scripting, and tooling (e.g., Python, Ansible).
- Familiarity with network modeling and programming (e.g., YANG, Open Config, NETCONF).
- Experience with software architecture and design, particularly in distributed systems and cloud-native environments.
- Strong understanding of network security and best practices in software development.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, version control systems, and DevOps practices.
- Knowledge of API development and integration, particularly in networking contexts.
- Proven ability as a leading individual contributor and team member, providing direction and mentoring to others.
- Excellent judgment in influencing product roadmap direction, features, and priorities.
- Capable of working under limited supervision.
- Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.

Career Level - IC4