Senior Software Engineer (NSG)

Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other every day and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer with strong hands-on expertise in C, Linux, kernel fundamentals, and CI/CD automation, along with solid experience in building systems and toolchains, to join our Linux Platform Engineering team. This role spans hardware platform bring-up, OS library and toolchain upgrades, cryptography and compliance initiatives, and deep system-level debugging across the hardware–kernel–software stack.

We value engineers who are open to adopting modern AI-assisted development workflows to enhance coding efficiency, debugging, automation, and documentation. Candidates who have partially or fully integrated AI tools into their day-to-day SDLC will have a distinct advantage.

The Linux Platform Engineering team builds and maintains the core system foundation across hardware and software layers, with strong expertise in C, Linux kernel fundamentals, build systems, and CI/CD automation. The team drives platform bring‑up, OS library and toolchain upgrades, security and compliance initiatives, and complex system‑level troubleshooting, while actively using AI‑driven SDLC practices to improve development efficiency, debugging, automation, and documentation quality.

Leverage AI-assisted workflows across the engineering lifecycle—analysis, development, test automation, debugging, documentation, and DevOps—to deliver faster, higher-quality outcomes

Enable and support Linux-based software platforms on new hardware architectures and SoCs

Upgrade, patch, and validate core OS libraries, toolchains, and platform dependencies

Contribute to cryptography, security, and compliance-driven platform initiatives

Perform deep system-level debugging across hardware, kernel, build, and user-space layers

Plan, integrate, and validate complex tool chain and dependency changes within CI/CD pipelines, ensuring stability and quality at scale

 

4–8 years of professional software engineering experience

Strong programming skills in C

Solid understanding of Linux internals and kernel fundamentals

Strong working knowledge of build systems, with hands-on experience in CI/CD automation

Proficiency in writing, reading, and debugging Make files, including multi-target, recursive, and cross-compilation setups

Working proficiency in Python, Perl, or Bash for automation, integration, and debugging

Familiarity with Docker, YAML, JSON, SQL, and the broader open-source ecosystem

Experience with open-source packaging, dependency management, patching, and platform integration

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills across hardware and software boundaries

Good to have skills:

Hands-on experience with AI-assisted engineering tools (e.g., AI coding assistants, AI-driven code review, debugging, test generation, or documentation), with partial or full adoption welcomed

Experience working in, or interest in shaping, an AI-driven SDLC environment

Exposure to agentic AI workflows for engineering productivity

Experience with OpenWrt, Bazel, or similar build ecosystems

Knowledge of networking and cryptography

Experience in compliance-oriented engineering environments (e.g., FIPS, Common Criteria)

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

·   Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.

·   Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit

·   Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy

·   Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities

·   Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint

·   Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp

·   Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge 

·   Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.   We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team.  All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation.  We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know. 

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