SambaNova Systems Logo

SambaNova Systems

Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers

Reposted 22 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Austin, TX, USA
120K-200K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
Austin, TX, USA
120K-200K Annually
Senior level
Responsible for post-silicon validation, debug, and validation of high-speed IO and memory subsystems to ensure reliable AI systems. Lead efforts in debugging, product validation, and development of tools for automation.
The summary above was generated by AI

The era of pervasive AI has arrived. In this era, organizations will use generative AI to unlock hidden value in their data, accelerate processes, reduce costs, drive efficiency and innovation to fundamentally transform their businesses and operations at scale.

SambaNova Suite™ is the first full-stack, generative AI platform, from chip to model, optimized for enterprise and government organizations. Powered by the intelligent SN40L chip, the SambaNova Suite is a fully integrated platform, delivered on-premises or in the cloud, combined with state-of-the-art open-source models that can be easily and securely fine-tuned using customer data for greater accuracy. Once adapted with customer data, customers retain model ownership in perpetuity, so they can turn generative AI into one of their most valuable assets.

Overview

SambaNova is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop kernel-level drivers and low-level
software for high-speed IO and memory subsystems within the DataScale® platform and RDU
architecture.


You will enable system bring-up, debug complex cross-layer issues, and deliver
production-quality software that scales across systems and deployments. Working across
kernel, firmware, and hardware, you will build robust, maintainable drivers and frameworks
supporting validation, manufacturing, and system performance.


This is a hands-on role for an engineer with strong low-level programming skills, solid hardware
understanding, and a focus on reliability, performance, and code quality.


Responsibilities
Kernel & Driver Development
● Develop and maintain kernel-space drivers for high-speed IO and memory subsystems
● Enable platform bring-up and support driver integration across new silicon and system
configurations
● Write clean, maintainable, production-quality code and drive code reviews
System Bring-Up & Debug
● Support system bring-up from early silicon through production
● Debug complex issues across kernel, firmware, and hardware layers
● Drive issues to root cause and resolution in collaboration with cross-functional teams
PHY & Hardware Interaction
● Support PHY initialization and validation across high-speed interfaces
● Debug issues related to IO, memory, and PHY subsystems in coordination with
hardware teams
● Interpret hardware specifications and schematics to guide bring-up and debug
Performance & Validation Software
● Develop tools and frameworks for performance analysis, validation, and manufacturing
test
● Identify system bottlenecks and implement optimizations across driver and system layers
● Enable post-silicon validation through software automation and infrastructure


Basic Qualifications
● BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
● 5+ years of experience in kernel or low-level system software development
Additional Required Qualifications
● Familiar with Linux kernel, drivers, user space libraries, and applications with strong
Linux fundamentals
● Strong C/C++ programming and debugging skills; scripting experience (Python, shell)
● Experience with high-speed IO or interconnects such as PCIe, Ethernet, or similar
technologies
● Experience with system bring-up and hardware-software co-debug
● Experience with manufacturing test flows
● Familiarity with development tools such as Git, Docker, Jenkins, or Bazel
● Familiarity with build systems and toolchains (GCC, LLVM, Make, CMake)
● Strong ownership and ability to drive issues to resolution
● Clear communicator with a collaborative, problem-solving mindset


Preferred Qualifications
● Experience with PHY bring-up and initialization
● Ability to read and understand hardware specifications and register-level documentation
● Exposure to pre-silicon validation (FPGA, emulation) and post-silicon bring-up
● Familiarity with board schematics and low-level hardware interaction
● Solid debugging skills using logs, trace tools (GDB), JTAG, or hardware debuggers
● Background in high-performance or accelerator-based systems

Base Salary Range:

Base Pay Range
$120,000$200,000 USD

Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. 

EEO Policy
SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment Positions
SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.

SambaNova Systems Austin, Texas, USA Office

Located in North Austin, our office is located five minutes from the Arboretum, ten minutes to the Domain, and a short drive to adventure in the great hill country and best lakes and rivers of Texas.

Similar Jobs

59 Minutes Ago
Hybrid
88K-150K Annually
Mid level
88K-150K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Perform DMSMS and obsolescence management: monitor component lifecycles, scrub BOMs, identify form-fit-function replacements, develop mitigation strategies (last-time buys, redesigns), qualify parts, ensure counterfeit avoidance and standards compliance, liaise with suppliers/customers, and produce technical documentation to support defense systems.
Top Skills: Agile PlmArtificial IntelligenceAvcomContainerized MicroservicesGidepIhs/AccurisSiliconexpertWebflisWindchill
59 Minutes Ago
Hybrid
88K-150K Annually
Mid level
88K-150K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Monitor component lifecycles and forecast DMSMS risks, scrub and analyze BOMs, investigate alternate parts, develop mitigation strategies (last-time buys, replacements, redesign), enforce counterfeit avoidance and standards compliance, qualify parts, liaise with suppliers/customers, document findings, and lead obsolescence management while transitioning tools to automated, containerized microservices.
Top Skills: AgileArtificial IntelligenceAutomationAvcomContainerized MicroservicesGidepIhs/AccurisMil-StdPlmReachRohsScripting LanguagesSiliconexpertWeb-ScrapingWebflisWindchill
4 Hours Ago
In-Office
199K-375K Annually
Senior level
199K-375K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Information Technology • Machine Learning
Lead architecture and design of custom HBM and 3D‑stacked memory solutions across the product lifecycle, from early architecture and circuit innovation through physical design, silicon validation, and high-volume manufacturing in a cross-functional semiconductor environment.
Top Skills: 3D-Stacked MemoryHbmPackagingPhysical DesignSilicon ValidationTest

What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene

Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.

Key Facts About Austin Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
  • Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
  • Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account