Experience: 8+ Years of expert level experience in Low-Level Stack/Device Driver/Networking/Storage domain
Qualification: Masters/Bachelors in ECE/CS
Primary Skills: C Programming Language, OS Internals, Networking, Storage Protocols, Hardware Interface Technologies, Debugging, Profiling, SCM
Preferred: Open Source, Cross-platform, High-speed NIC, Virtualization, DMA, RDMA, iWARP, RoCE, DCB, PCIe, IEEE Standards, Architecture

Role Overview:

A Senior IC Dev Expert is entrusted with the design, implementation, optimization, and maintenance of device drivers for network controllers. This role goes beyond generic software engineering, sitting at the intersection of hardware and software, where a deep understanding of both domains is essential for success. As a technical expert, the role demands to be instrumental in ensuring network controllers efficiency, work reliably, and securely, integrating seamlessly. Must be passionate and self-motivated to work in a startup environment with great agility.

Core Responsibilities:

• Device Driver Design and Development: Design, code, and debug device drivers that enable the network controller hardware to communicate effectively with operating systems (such as Linux & Free BSD platforms). This involves interpreting hardware specifications, writing efficient and maintainable code in C and adhering to system-level programming best practices
• Performance Optimization: Analyse and enhance the efficiency, throughput, and latency of device drivers. This involves profiling drivers under various network workloads, tuning buffer management, optimizing interrupt handling and Direct Memory Access (DMA) mechanisms, and minimizing CPU utilization to deliver maximum performance.
• Debugging and Troubleshooting: Diagnose complex issues that may span hardware and software boundaries, using advanced debugging tools. Provide root-cause analysis and work with cross-functional teams to resolve critical defects.
• Compliance and Standards Adherence: Ensure device drivers comply with relevant industry standards (such as IEEE 802.3, PCIe, or NDIS) and certifications. Stay abreast of evolving networking trends and regulatory requirements, updating drivers as necessary to maintain interoperability and compliance.
• Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Produce thorough technical documentation, including design specs, user manuals, and troubleshooting guides.
• Security Considerations: Integrate robust security practices into driver design to prevent vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows, privilege escalations, or denial-of-service attacks. Participate in threat modelling and risk assessments

Technical Skills:

Must possess a strong and diverse technical foundation, including but not limited:

• Low-Level Programming: Mastery of C for system-level programming, with a deep understanding of memory management, concurrency, and synchronization
• OS Internals: Profound knowledge of OS kernel architecture (especially networking subsystems), device driver models, and abstraction layers for major platforms (e.g., Linux kernel modules).
• Networking Protocols: Familiarity with Ethernet, TCP/IP stack, UDP, ARP, VLAN, and specialized protocols (e.g., RDMA, iWARP, RoCE, DCB).
• Hardware Interface Technologies: Experience with PCIe, DMA, interrupt controllers, and hardware abstraction.
• Debugging and Profiling Tools: Proficiency in using GDB, WinDbg, Wireshark, system profilers, and hardware-level diagnostic equipment.
• Version Control and Build Systems: Expertise with Git, Gerrit, automated build systems (e.g., Make, CMake, Jenkins), and continuous integration pipelines.
• Security Best Practices: Understanding of secure coding guidelines, threat vectors unique to kernel space, and methods for hardening device drivers.
• Collaboration and Communication: Strong written and verbal skills, including the ability to convey technical ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
• Developing next-generation high-speed network interface card (NIC) drivers to enable multi-gigabit data transfer and advanced offload capabilities.
• Optimizing driver stacks for data centres, cloud computing, or enterprise environments, focusing on scalability and minimal downtime.
• Porting legacy device drivers to new operating systems or hardware platforms.
• Implementing advanced features such as virtualization support (SR-IOV, VMDq) or energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE).

The role of a Senior Engineer in network controller device driver development is both challenging and rewarding, positioned at the forefront of technological innovation in the networking industry. Success in this field demands a rare combination of low-level technical proficiency, cross-functional collaboration, strategic leadership, and continuous learning. For those passionate about the intricate dance between hardware and software, and driven by the impact of high-performance, reliable network connectivity, this career offers a uniquely fulfilling professional journey.

About QUTRIX SOLUTION PRIVATE LIMITED 

https://qutrix.io | NASSCOM Member | D.U.N.S. Registered

Qutrix is a trustworthy Center-Of-Excellence (CoE) software technology provider and SaaS product company. Our culture is built upon the values of the product company’s innovation and service company’s delivery excellence. Focused on redefining quality in traditional and new technology product development, Qutrix offers software engineering services, R&D support, exclusive talent augmentation models and specialized technology solutions & services. Our in-house SaaS platforms with Gen-AI capabilities and automation abilities address engineering challenges faced by technology product manufacturers, multinational enterprises, startups, SMEs & OEM partners across world.

Listed in “10 Most Recommended Enterprise IT Product & Software Providers 2019”, CIO Insider – India.