Zhone Technologies Inc. is an innovative startup offering an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic network software engineering team. As a Network Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing hardware abstraction layers (HAL), Linux kernel components, and ASIC platform integration for next-generation network equipment.

You will work closely with architecture, platform, and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration with ASIC SDKs, optimize hardware-software interactions, and contribute to a modular, scalable system software foundation. This role reports to the Director of Software Development.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate on high-level system and platform architecture design
• Develop and adapt HAL components for new hardware platforms (e.g., Broadcom/Marvell/VSC SDKs, SAI for SONiC)
• Integrate and validate switching ASIC SDKs with embedded system software
• Debug and resolve hardware-software interaction issues at the kernel and board level
• Contribute to SONiC platform enablement (e.g., platform.json, SAI drivers, CONFIG_DB integration)
• Write and maintain embedded Linux device drivers (I2C, SPI, PHY/MAC, LEDs, etc.)
• Assist in hardware bring-up, including bootloaders, device trees, and CPLD integration
• Optimize kernel-level performance, reliability, and interface control
• Write and execute unit, integration, and system validation tests
• Collaborate with cross-functional software and hardware teams

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
• 3+ years of experience in embedded software or platform software development
• Hands-on experience with HAL design, Linux device drivers, and low-level hardware integration
• Familiarity with Broadcom or similar switching ASICs and platform SDKs
• Understanding of Linux networking and kernel subsystems
• Proficiency in C/C++, with debugging skills in embedded environments
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to learn

Assets You May Possess

• Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) & Device Driver Development
  • Solid understanding of HAL design principles and platform abstraction mechanisms
  • Experience writing and debugging drivers for:
    • I2C, SPI, EEPROM, LEDs, fans, thermal sensors
    • PHY/MAC, MDIO, SFP/QSFP, SerDes
    • PCIe, memory-mapped interfaces
• ASIC SDK & Switching Chipset Integration
  • Practical experience integrating and validating:
    • Broadcom SDK
    • Marvell Prestera SDK
    • Microchip/Vitesse VSC SDK
  • Knowledge of VLAN/FDB/port setup, initialization sequences, and platform adaptation APIs
• SONiC & SAI (Switch Abstraction Interface).
  • Familiarity with SONiC containerized architecture and platform database structure
  • Experience configuring platform files: platform.json, hwsku, platform-modules
  • Understanding of CONFIG_DB, APP_DB, STATE_DB, and SONiC build environment
  • Ability to port or extend SAI APIs for new hardware
• Hardware Bring-up & Platform Integration.
  • Experience with bootloaders (U-Boot), device tree configuration, BSP creation
  • Hardware integration: EEPROM, PSU/FAN, CPLD, LED indicators
  • Comfortable with low-speed bus interfaces: I2C, SPI, GPIO
• Hardware-Software Interaction, Debugging & Optimization.
  • Debugging link bring-up, PHY init, SerDes tuning
  • Familiar with DMA, IRQ handling, and register-level debugging
  • Tools: gdb, strace, dmesg, perf, valgrind, JTAG, oscilloscopes
• Validation & Automation.
  • Test development and scripting using Python, Bash, TCL/Expect
  • Experience building automated platform validation workflows
• Preferred / Nice to Have
  • Prior experience porting SONiC to custom hardware
  • Experience working with ASIC vendors for feature validation or hardware bug tracing
  • Familiarity with ONIE, Redfish/IPMI, or U-Boot diagnostics
  • Open-source contributions to kernel drivers, SONiC, or SAI
  • Knowledge of PTP, SyncE, or other timing protocols is a plus

Benefits for full-time employees include Extended Health Care, Dental, Vision, Life, Dependent Life, Disability insurance (STD and LTD), $500 Wellness Benefit, Employee Assistance Program and Paid Time Off.

Why join Zhone Technologies?

Zhone Technologies, Inc. is a developer of Network Edge and Connectivity systems and Cloud Edge software solutions that enable broadband everywhere. Our software and network innovations are empowering communications service providers to reimagine their edge and transform their businesses and network infrastructure to be future-ready. Zhone systems, platforms and services are leveraged by hundreds of service providers globally and are relied upon by 14 of the top 25 telecom providers across the Americas, EMEA, and Australia/New Zealand. Every day, Zhone builds on a legacy of 25 years in the telecom industry, and recently acquired all of the assets of DZS, Inc.

What happens once you apply?

Your resume will be reviewed against the requirements listed and if a match a member of our team will reach out to you directly. Hiring top talent is our top priority and we thrilled you chose us.

Zhone Technologies is an equal opportunity employer for all job applicants and does not discriminate based on protected characteristics. Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values and is why we nurture it in everything we do. We believe that a diverse workforce brings new perspectives that enhance our teams, bring creativity, and inspire innovation. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the application process.