Principal Network Architect

Cornelis Networks delivers the world’s highest performance scale-out networking solutions for AI and HPC datacenters. Our differentiated architecture seamlessly integrates hardware, software and system level technologies to maximize the efficiency of GPU, CPU and accelerator-based compute clusters at any scale. Our solutions drive breakthroughs in AI & HPC workloads, empowering our customers to push the boundaries of innovation. Backed by top-tier venture capital and strategic investors, we are committed to innovation, performance and scalability - solving the world’s most demanding computational challenges with our next-generation networking solutions.  

We are a fast-growing, forward-thinking team of architects, engineers, and business professionals with a proven track record of building successful products and companies. As a global organization, our team spans multiple U.S. states and six countries, and we continue to expand with exceptional talent in onsite, hybrid, and fully remote roles. 

You will join the Office of the CTO as a Principal Systems Architect, where you will define the architecture of next-generation AI and HPC networking solutions that power the world's largest compute clusters. In this highly visible technical leadership role, you will drive system architecture across hardware, ASIC, FPGA, firmware, software, and networking, ensuring every layer of the stack is optimized to deliver industry-leading performance, scalability, and efficiency.

You will partner closely with architects, ASIC and hardware engineers, firmware and software teams, product management, solutions architects, and executive leadership to translate customer requirements and emerging technologies into innovative networking platforms. From architectural vision through production deployment, you will help shape the technical direction of future Cornelis Networks products while mentoring engineers and influencing long-term technology strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the end-to-end architecture for next-generation AI and HPC networking products, spanning hardware, firmware, software, and system integration.
• Lead cross-functional architecture efforts across ASIC, FPGA, software, firmware, networking, and platform engineering teams to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions. 
• Design high-bandwidth, low-latency data movement architectures utilizing PCIe, RDMA, DMA engines, SmartNIC technologies, and high-speed Ethernet fabrics.
• Drive hardware/software co-design to optimize networking, compute, memory, and accelerator subsystems for maximum throughput, efficiency, and deterministic latency. 
• Partner with ASIC and FPGA teams to define interfaces, system architecture, and integration strategies across next-generation networking platforms.
• Collaborate with Linux software teams on kernel drivers, userspace networking, performance optimization, and low-latency communication technologies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies including CXL, SmartNICs, advanced interconnects, hardware accelerators, and AI infrastructure to influence future product roadmaps.
• Work directly with customers, solutions architects, and product management to translate technical requirements into scalable architectural solutions.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects while providing technical leadership across multiple engineering organizations.
• Contribute to long-term product strategy, technology direction, and architectural standards for future Cornelis Networks networking solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15+ years of experience designing and architecting high-performance networking, FPGA, ASIC, or hardware acceleration solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in system architecture spanning hardware, software, firmware, and networking technologies.
• Deep understanding of PCI Express, Ethernet, DMA engines, RDMA, high-speed interconnects, and modern data center networking architectures.
• Experience with Linux kernel technologies, device drivers, kernel-bypass networking, or low-latency networking frameworks.
• Strong C/C++ development experience supporting high-performance networking systems.
• Proven experience leading complex cross-functional engineering initiatives from architectural definition through product deployment.
• Excellent communication, technical leadership, and customer engagement skills.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing FPGA-based networking platforms, SmartNICs, or intelligent network adapters.
• Experience with DPDK, RDMA, custom transport protocols, TCP/IP offload, or other kernel-bypass networking technologies.
• Knowledge of AI infrastructure, HPC systems, GPU clusters, and large-scale distributed computing environments.
• Experience developing FPGA solutions using SystemVerilog, Verilog, or High-Level Synthesis (HLS).
• Familiarity with CXL, advanced memory architectures, and emerging accelerator interconnect technologies.
• Experience optimizing networking performance across hardware, firmware, software, and system-level architectures.
• Customer-facing architecture, technical consulting, or field engineering experience.
• Experience mentoring engineering teams and influencing technical strategy across multiple organizations.

Location: This is a remote position for employees residing within the United States.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes equity, cash, and incentives, along with health and retirement benefits. Our dynamic, flexible work environment provides the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most influential names in the semiconductor industry. 

At Cornelis Networks your base salary is only one component of your comprehensive total rewards package. Your base pay will be determined by factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and location relative to the hiring range for the position. Depending on your role, you may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, including an annual bonus or sales incentives. 

In addition to your base pay, you’ll have access to a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as disability and life insurance, a dependent care flexible spending account, accidental injury insurance, and pet insurance. We also offer generous paid holidays, 401(k) with company match, and Open Time Off (OTO) for regular full-time exempt employees. Other paid time off benefits include sick time, bonding leave, and pregnancy disability leave. 

Cornelis Networks does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. Cornelis Networks is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.