AI Insights
NVIDIA

Manager, SONiC Software

NVIDIA · Santa Clara, California, US
full-timelead (8-15 yrs)Posted 20d ago
Software EngineeringM1IC + ManagementOn-siteVisa Sponsored
StackC++PythonSONiCLinuxEthernetVLANsTCP/IPUDPQoSL2 protocolsL3 protocolsOpen Source contributionContinuous DeploymentScrum

Summary

Engineering team lead/manager role at NVIDIA focused on SONiC Network OS development for Ethernet switching, involving hands-on C++/Python coding, open-source community contributions, and people management of a networking software team.

About the role

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. We seek for team lead to join our Ethernet Switch SONiC Network OS. As a SONiC design team lead at NVIDIA, you will have to work closely with NVIDIA’s development and architecture teams responsible for SONiC Network OS and gain a deep understanding of NVIDIA products and technologies.

What you'll be doing:

  • Be part of NVIDIA SONiC R&D team, contribute code to SONiC worldwide community.

  • Work in a Continuous Deployment environment of fast development/deployment cycles.

  • Work with experienced teams which are well known in the SONiC community.

  • Participate in an international team of software engineers working on products for testing NVIDIA products.

  • Manage, mentor, and guide a team of SONiC eth switch NOS.

  • Design and implement SONiC feature under linux environment upstream to SONiC open source project.

  • Promote a culture of innovation, quality, and accountability. Bring SONiC NOS to shine in customer's view.

What we need to see:

  • B.Sc. degree or equivalent experience in Engineering/Computer Science/related field.

  • 3+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing or software development teams.

  • 8+ overall years of experience in software development

  • Proven experience in a leadership role, with a track record of successfully leading scrums and projects.

  • Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

  • Strong technical abilities, problem-solving skills, coding, and design skills.

  • Ability to lead feature development, take full ownership and deliver independently.

  • Linux knowledge: have a general understanding of Linux operation system concepts.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.

  • Knowledge in one or more Networking areas: Ethernet, VLANs, TCP/UDP/IP, QoS, L2-L3 protocols.

With competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, we are widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us and, due to outstanding growth, our exclusive engineering teams are rapidly growing. If you're a creative and autonomous engineer with a real passion for technology, we want to hear from you.

NVIDIA is committed to encouraging a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What you'll do

1Contribute code to the SONiC open-source community as part of NVIDIA's R&D team
2Work within a Continuous Deployment environment with fast development and deployment cycles
3Manage, mentor, and guide a team of SONiC Ethernet switch NOS engineers
4Design and implement SONiC features under Linux and upstream contributions to the SONiC open-source project
5Lead feature development with full ownership and independent delivery
6Promote a culture of innovation, quality, and accountability
7Collaborate with NVIDIA development and architecture teams responsible for SONiC Network OS
8Participate in an international team working on products for testing NVIDIA hardware

Requirements

8+ years of software development experience with 3+ years in a leadership or team management role
Strong programming proficiency in C++ and Python within a Linux environment
Hands-on experience designing and implementing features for SONiC or similar Network OS platforms
Proven ability to lead scrums, manage engineers, and deliver complex projects end-to-end with full ownership
Solid understanding of Linux OS concepts and networking fundamentals (Ethernet, TCP/UDP/IP, L2/L3 protocols)

Nice to have

SONiC community involvement
QoS expertise
VLAN configuration
Open-source upstream contribution experience
Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Role overview

Role family
Software Engineering
Level
M1 — platform
Experience
8–15 years
Type
Hybrid (IC + Management)
Remote policy
On-site
Visa sponsorship
Available

Tech stack analysis

LANGUAGES
C++Python
FRAMEWORKS
SONiC
INFRASTRUCTURE
LinuxContinuous Deployment pipelines
TOOLS
ScrumGit (implied for open-source contribution)

Salary estimate

$220K – $310K
AI-estimated salary range
Confidence72%
Reasoning

NVIDIA is a top-tier semiconductor/AI company in Santa Clara, CA known for above-market compensation. A hybrid IC-lead/engineering manager role (M1 level) with 8+ years experience in specialized networking OS (SONiC) at NVIDIA typically commands $220K–$310K total cash (base + bonus), with substantial RSU grants on top. Benchmarked against Levels.fyi data for NVIDIA Engineering Manager roles in Silicon Valley and comparable networking software leadership positions at FAANG-adjacent firms.

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Green flags

5 items
NVIDIA is a globally recognized, industry-leading company with strong brand prestige and career growth potential in cutting-edge networking/AI infrastructure.culture

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Benefits breakdown

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Hiring insights

JD quality
6/10
Urgency
medium
Autonomy
high
Team size
small (2-5)

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Red flags

PRO4 items
No salary range disclosed despite operating in a jurisdiction (California) where pay transparency is increasingly expected and legally required for many employers.compensation

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Interview insights

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Career path

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Next roles
Senior Engineering Manager, NetworkingDirector of Software EngineeringPrincipal Architect, Network OS

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About the company

NVIDIA is the world's leading designer of GPUs and AI computing platforms. Its chips power everything from gaming and data centers to autonomous vehicles and scientific research. With a market cap exceeding $2 trillion, NVIDIA's CUDA platform and AI accelerators have become the backbone of the global AI revolution.

HQSanta Clara, CA, USA
Build vs Maintainboth
Cross-functionalYes