Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers

Overview

SambaNova is seeking a Principal Engineer to own post-silicon bring-up, debug, and validation of high-speed IO and memory subsystems within the DataScale® platform. This role is central to delivering reliable, high-performance AI systems at scale. You will lead complex system-level debug across silicon, board, and software layers, driving issues to root cause and resolution from first silicon through deployment. This is a hands-on role for an engineer with deep expertise in high-speed interfaces and hardware debug, who can operate in ambiguity and execute with high ownership.

 

Responsibilities

System Bring-Up & Validation

• Own post-silicon bring-up and validation of high-speed IO and memory subsystems, including characterization, functional validation, stress testing, and performance analysis
• Enable system power-on and bring-up readiness, including debug infrastructure, tooling, and contingency planning

Debug & Cross-Functional Execution

• Lead system-level debug to root cause complex issues spanning silicon, board, and software layers
• Drive cross-functional resolution with design, firmware, verification, and system teams to ensure timely bring-up and issue closure

Productization & Deployment

• Support product validation, deployment, and RMA debug in partnership with system and customer engineering teams
• Ensure readiness for product release with a focus on stability, performance, and field reliability

Pre-Silicon & Design Feedback

• Review SoC, board design, and SI/PI analysis from a post-silicon debug and deployment perspective
• Contribute to pre-silicon verification and emulation to improve bring-up efficiency and coverage

Infrastructure & Methodology

• Develop scripts and tools to automate validation, debug, and data analysis workflows
• Improve post-silicon validation methodologies, debug infrastructure, and test scalability

Basic Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
• 7+ years of experience in post-silicon validation or system bring-up

Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed IO or memory protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, hBM, CXL, or UCIe
• Strong analytical skills for test development and data analysis
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., bash, python)
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional debugging efforts
• Self-starter with strong ownership and execution skills
• Clear and effective communicator with a proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of high-speed SerDes training and adaptation
• Experience with mixed-signal IO design and validation
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes)
• Proficiency in programming languages, such as C,