A Software Development Engineer specializing in SONiC and Broadcom is a highly specialized networking software professional who builds and maintains the intelligent software that powers modern data center and cloud network switches. This niche but critical role sits at the intersection of open-source networking software, proprietary hardware, and high-performance data forwarding. Professionals in this field are responsible for the low-level software that enables switches to route traffic at incredible speeds, making them essential for the infrastructure of large-scale enterprises, cloud providers, and telecom operators. For those with a passion for deep systems programming and networking, these jobs offer a challenging and impactful career path at the forefront of network innovation. Typically, individuals in this role engage in designing, developing, and optimizing data plane and control plane software within the SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) ecosystem. SONiC is a Linux-based network operating system (NOS) that decouples network software from the underlying hardware. A core responsibility involves integrating and extending the Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI), which provides a vendor-agnostic API to program the network Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Engineers write and maintain code for critical L2/L3 forwarding functionalities, ensuring seamless protocol operation and maximum hardware performance. Their daily work includes deep debugging across the entire software stack, from kernel drivers and ASIC SDKs to user-space protocol daemons, to resolve complex issues that affect network reliability and throughput. The typical skill set for these jobs is both broad and deep. A strong foundational understanding of SONiC architecture and its modular components is paramount. Candidates must possess expert-level knowledge of networking protocols (like Ethernet, IP, TCP, BGP, EVPN) and their forwarding mechanisms. Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, and Python is essential for systems-level development. Crucially, hands-on experience with datapath ASICs—with Broadcom DNX/XGS families being a common requirement—is highly desirable, as is familiarity with SAI. Beyond pure networking, these roles often demand a modern software engineering mindset, including principles of DevOps, automation, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and a security-first approach to code. The ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams to translate high-level network designs into robust, efficient software solutions is a key success factor. Ultimately, a career as a Software Dev Engineer for SONiC and Broadcom involves being a key contributor to the open-source networking community while solving some of the most demanding performance challenges in global network infrastructure. These jobs are ideal for engineers who enjoy working close to the hardware, optimizing for nanosecond-level efficiencies, and building the foundational software that keeps the world's data moving.
