Network Controller Device Driver Development

we have an opportunity with our client (startup with strong investor backing)

Exp- 8-11 Yrs

Location- Bangalore( Bannerghatta Road)

Work mode-In-person (5 days a week, no hybrid or WFH option)

• Interview Process:
• Virtual (Google Meet) – 1st round
• Coding (Face-to-Face) at client's Bangalore office – 2nd round

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 C 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.

Required Technical Skills

A Senior Engineer for network controller device driver development must possess a strong and diverse technical foundation, including but not limited to:

• Low-Level Programming: Mastery of C for system-level programming, with a deep understanding of memory management, concurrency, and synchronization.
• Operating System 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.

Desirable Qualities and Experience

• Open Source Contribution: Track record of contributing to open source device drivers or kernels, demonstrating proficiency and community engagement.
• Cross-Platform Development: Experience in developing drivers for multiple operating systems and architectures (e.g., x86, ARM).
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated with advancements in networking hardware, standards, and software methodologies.
• Typical Projects and Contributions

A Senior Engineer in this field may be involved in a wide array of impactful projects, such as:

• 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).

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: ₹1,299, ₹1,935,250.82 per year

Work Location: In person