Senior Software Engineer - SAI/SDK

At Cornelis we’re building the future of AI and HPC networking with an AI-first approach to silicon and software development. We’re seeking engineers who are energized by working on cutting-edge ASIC design and distributed software systems, and who are motivated to push the boundaries on how AI can transform everything from chip architecture to system performance at scale.

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.

Join Cornelis Networks' growing SAI/SDK team to drive the development of our next-generation switch ASIC platform. Partner with our Principal Engineer on architecture and implementation, taking ownership of key subsystems to accelerate product delivery. This role combines deep technical work on Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI) and SDK implementation with test infrastructure development, supporting both traditional Ethernet and high-speed interconnect protocols. You'll work in an AI-first development environment, leveraging cutting-edge tooling to maximize productivity and impact.

This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge switch ASIC technology in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. You'll have significant technical ownership, collaborate with world-class engineers, and contribute to products that power high-performance computing and AI infrastructure. Cornelis Networks is committed to AI-first development practices, providing engineers with the best tools and workflows to maximize impact and career growth.

Key Responsibilities

• SAI Implementation: Design and implement SAI object types and APIs for switch ASIC platforms, supporting multiple operational modes and architectures

• SDK Development: Develop and maintain switch SDK components, including low-level ASIC drivers, control plane interfaces, and hardware abstraction layers
• NOS Integration: Integrate SAI/SDK with SONiC and other network operating system platforms, ensuring seamless interoperability
• Test Infrastructure: Build and maintain test frameworks, harnesses, and CI/CD pipelines for SAI/SDK validation; write comprehensive unit and integration tests
• Performance Optimization: Profile and optimize SAI/SDK performance for latency, throughput, and resource utilization
• Technical Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, firmware, and systems teams to define ASIC requirements and resolve integration issues
• Code Quality: Conduct code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and establish best practices for SAI/SDK development
• AI-First Development: Leverage AI coding assistants and emerging tooling to accelerate development velocity and code quality

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 7-10 years of software engineering experience
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ with deep understanding of systems programming
• Hands-on experience with switch ASIC/SDK development (Broadcom, Marvell, Intel, or similar platforms)
• Linux systems programming experience, including kernel interfaces and driver development
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills for complex hardware/software integration issues
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Commitment to AI-first development practices and continuous learning of emerging AI tooling

Preferred Qualifications

• SAI (Switch Abstraction Interface) implementation experience
• SONiC or other network operating system platform integration experience
• Network protocol implementation experience (L2/L3 switching, routing)
• High-speed interconnect protocol knowledge
• Hardware/ASIC architecture understanding
• Performance optimization and profiling experience (perf, gprof, valgrind, etc.)
• Open-source contribution history
• Technical leadership and mentoring experience
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar)
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks and CI/CD systems

Job Location: This role may work remote from Costa Rica via an EOR (Employer of Record).

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base salary, performance incentives and equity participation.

At Cornelis Networks, your compensation is only one component of your comprehensive total rewards package. Compensation will be determined by factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, and location relative to the hiring range for the position. 

Depending on your geographic location, in addition to your total rewards package, you may also be eligible for additional benefits, paid holidays, and flexible work arrangements.

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.