Software Principal Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

The Software Engineering team delivers next-generation software application enhancements and new products for a changing world. Working at the cutting edge, we design and develop software for platforms, peripherals, applications and diagnostics — all with the most advanced technologies, tools, software engineering methodologies and the collaboration of internal and external partners. 

Join us as a Software Principal Engineer on our Networking team in Chennai/Bangalore to do the best work of your career and make a profound social impact

What you’ll achieve: 

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end engineering of Dell networking products and solutions for data center and AI fabric environments, driving innovation in a fast-paced development environment from requirements definition and architecture through development, validation, release, and customer deployment.

You will collaborate with platform, silicon, software, validation, solutions, and customer-facing teams to deliver next-generation Dell Enterprise SONiC capabilities for the high-performance network fabrics powering the Dell AI Factory. You will also apply AI-assisted engineering tools throughout the development lifecycle to accelerate delivery, improve quality, and enhance engineering productivity.

You will:

• Own complex networking features end to end, from requirements and architecture through validation and delivery of production-quality Dell Enterprise SONiC software.

• Architect and deliver large-scale data center and AI fabric capabilities on Dell PowerSwitch (800GbE/1.6TbE) platforms, including RoCEv2, congestion management, adaptive routing, SRv6, and dynamic load balancing.

• Troubleshoot complex system, scalability, performance, and customer issues across the control plane, data plane, SAI, and switch ASIC layers.

• Drive fabric automation and lifecycle management using REST APIs, gNMI/OpenConfig, YANG, Python, Ansible, ONIE, and ZTP, and apply Dell AI tools to speed development, testing, and debugging.

• Lead architecture and code reviews, mentor engineers, and work with global hardware, silicon, quality, product, and customer-facing teams to deliver reliable releases.

Take the first step towards your dream career 

Every Dell Technologies team member brings something unique to the table. Here’s what we are looking for with this role

Essential Requirements 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience, with 10 to 15 years of experience developing networking software for enterprise, cloud, AI, and high-performance data center environments.

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python on Linux, with hands-on experience in SONiC or an equivalent network operating system, including containerized NOS architecture and the Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI).

• Proven experience in new hardware platform bring-up, board-level validation, and software enablement of networking products, including hands-on integration of switch ASICs, PHYs, FPGAs/CPLDs, BMCs, EEPROMs, sensors, fans, PSUs, and optics.

• Expertise in low-level hardware interfaces (I2C/SMBus, PCIe, SPI, MDIO, UART, GPIO) and x86 driver development, with experience across Ethernet interfaces from 1GbE to 400GbE and beyond (800G, 1.6T), plus MacSec, timing, and optics (SFP/QSFP/QDD/OSFP).

• Experience with ONIE, firmware, secure boot, and platform lifecycle, plus monitoring software for hardware health, thermal, power, and faults.

Desirable Requirements 

• Expertise in SONiC OS, focusing on platform code development and community contributions.

• Experience with emerging trends in hardware designs including DLC platforms.

   

Who we are

We believe that each of us has the power to make an impact. That’s why we put our team members at the center of everything we do. If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow your career with some of the best minds and most advanced tech in the industry, we’re looking for you.

Dell Technologies is a unique family of businesses that helps individuals and organizations transform how they work, live and play. Join us to build a future that works for everyone because Progress Takes All of Us.

Application closing date: 30 November 2026

Dell Technologies is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Read the full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy here