Software Senior Principal Engineer

Join us as a Software Senior 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 Senior 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 end-to-end development of Dell Enterprise SONiC networking features, from architecture and design to implementation, validation, and production release.
• Design and deliver large-scale AI/data center fabrics on Dell PowerSwitch platforms, including RoCEv2, PFC/ECN, adaptive routing, SRv6, MRC, and dynamic load balancing for GPU clusters.
• Troubleshoot and optimize networking solutions across the control plane, data plane, SAI, and ASIC layers, while driving automation through Python, Ansible, REST APIs, gNMI/OpenConfig, YANG, ONIE, and ZTP.
• Leverage AI-powered development, testing, debugging, and analysis tools to enhance engineering productivity and automation.
• Lead architecture reviews, mentor engineers, manage technical risks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, scalable networking solutions.

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

• 12+ years of experience developing networking software for enterprise, cloud, AI, and high-performance data center environments, with a strong foundation in C/C++, Python, Linux, SONiC, containerized NOS, and SAI.
• Deep expertise in NPU/ASIC architecture, packet processing, forwarding, ACLs, QoS, buffer management, and SAI/SDK-based switch programming.
• Strong knowledge of data centre networking technologies, including OSPF, IS-IS, BGP EVPN, VXLAN, SRv6, multicast, and leaf-spine architectures.
• Expertise in AI/HPC Ethernet fabrics, including RDMA/RoCEv2, PFC, ECN/DCQCN, DCB, adaptive routing, dynamic load balancing, and fabric telemetry on 800GbE/1.6TbE platforms, with knowledge of GPU, SmartNIC, and NCCL workload interoperability.
• Experience with network automation and programmability using REST APIs, gNMI/OpenConfig, YANG, Python, Ansible, ONIE/ZTP, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Proven expertise in AI-assisted development, debugging, validation, and technical leadership, leveraging AI coding assistants/LLM agents, packet analysis, Ixia/Spirent, switch telemetry, and diagnostic tools, while leading complex cross-functional initiatives and mentoring engineering teams.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with open-source networking projects, AI/ML tools, or the broader AI infrastructure ecosystem. Familiarity with Dell AI Factory solutions, PowerEdge AI servers, NVMe/TCP storage fabrics, and Kubernetes- or Slurm-based AI/HPC clusters.
• Experience validating large-scale AI fabrics for performance, congestion management, resiliency, scalability, and interoperability. Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives effectively in a global, cross-functional engineering environment

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 Nov 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 .