Network Software Engineer (L2/L3, Routing Protocols)

About this opportunity

Zhone Technologies Inc. is an innovation-driven startup offering an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic network software engineering team. As a Network Software Engineer , you will contribute to the development of next-generation network products as we transition from legacy protocol stacks to open-source-based systems such as FRR and SONiC .

This position focuses on designing, porting, and validating L2/L3 features , as well as developing new capabilities and ensuring protocol interoperability in embedded environments. You will work closely with senior engineers and report to the Director of Software Development.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to high-level system architecture discussions
• Develop and maintain embeddednetwork software applications
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and technical stakeholders
• Break down tasks and provide development estimates
• Review and document technical requirements and designs
• Write and execute unit tests and assist with system-level validation
• Provide ongoing support for existing products
• Analyze L2/L3 features in ZebOS and map to equivalent FRR/SONiC implementations
• Port, redesign, and implement routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, RIP
• Develop and integrate new or missing protocol features
• Debug and resolve protocol interoperability and system-level issues

Requirements

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in network software development
• Solid understanding of L2/L3routing protocols and their role in modern networks
• Experience with multi-threaded, real-time embedded systems
• Strong programming skills in C/C++
• Familiarity with embedded Linux or other real-time operating systems
• Ability to troubleshoot complex issues in embedded environments
• Good communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• A self-driven attitude and strong desire to learn.

Assets You May Possess

• Routing Protocols & Networking Stack
  • Experience developing or maintaining L2/L3 protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, RIP, VRRP)
  • Familiarity with protocol internals such as state machines, timers, and convergence logic
  • Understanding of Linux networking internals, including Netlink, VRF, routing tables, bridge/VLAN
  • Experience working with ZebOS or FRR (ZAPI, vtysh, protocol daemons)
  • Exposure to advanced technologies like EVPN or SRv6 is a plus
• Embedded & Platform Development.
  • Embedded Linux user-space development experience
  • Familiarity with kernel modules, drivers, or HALs
  • Understanding of SDKs such as Broadcom SDK or SAI
• Network Virtualization & Overlay Technologies
  • Knowledge of VRF, VxLAN, tunneling, and overlay architectures
  • Experience configuring virtual routing or sandbox test environments
• Management Protocols & Interfaces.
  • Working knowledge of NETCONF, SNMP, TL1, Telnet, SSH
  • Exposure to YANG models and integration with EMS/NMS
  • Ability to expose or extend telemetry or RPC-based management endpoints
• Testing, Automation & Debugging
  • Skilled in using tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, gdb, valgrind
  • Experience writing automation scripts using Python, Bash, or TCL/Expect is beneficial