Director - Host Software
On-site · San Jose, California, United States
Job Summary
Director of Host Software responsible for leading the host software stack, kernel/driver development, transport and protocol libraries, and middleware integration for AI/HPC workloads. Role emphasizes technical leadership, end-to-end ownership, mentorship, and leveraging AI-augmented workflows. Key duties include overseeing Linux kernel-mode driver development (netdev, RDMA, PCIe), directing user-mode libraries and protocol state machines (libfabric/OFI, verbs), optimizing MPI/SHMEM/NCCL/RCCL integration, collaborating across hardware/firmware/switch teams, upstreaming in open-source communities, and ensuring robust CI/CD and release practices. Requires strong systems programming experience in C/C++ on Linux, experience in high-performance networking and fabric technologies, and excellent communication skills. Preferred qualifications include extensive management experience at director level, deep fabric knowledge, Open Source contributions, and advanced degrees. Location is remote within the United States.
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in high-performance systems programming in C/C++ on Linux
- Leadership Experience: Prior experience in technical leadership or management roles (e.g., Team Lead, Manager, or similar) with a track record of guiding engineering efforts
- Technical Depth: Strong understanding of Linux kernel internals, networking transport protocols, HPC/AI communication middleware and applications
- Fabric Experience: Hands-on experience with high-performance networking concepts, RDMA, or communication middleware
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and executive audiences
- 12+ years of experience in software engineering with significant time spent in management or director-level roles
- Advanced Fabric Knowledge: Deep experience with libfabric/OFI, UCX, verbs-style concepts, or specific interconnect technologies (Omni-Path, InfiniBand, RoCE)
- AI/HPC Expertise: Familiarity with HPC/AI communication libraries (MPI/SHMEM/NCCL/RCCL) and cluster-scale benchmarking and profiling
- Development Velocity: Experience utilizing AI-augmented development tools to increase team efficiency and code quality
- Open Source: Proven track record of meaningful contributions to major open-source systems projects such (e.g., the Linux kernel)
- Education: Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline highly preferred
Desired Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in high-performance systems programming in C/C++ on Linux
- Leadership Experience: Prior experience in technical leadership or management roles (e.g., Team Lead, Manager, or similar) with a track record of guiding engineering efforts
- Technical Depth: Strong understanding of across relevant technical domain areas, such as Linux kernel internals, networking transport protocols, HPC/AI communication middleware and applications, etc.
- Fabric Experience: Hands-on experience with high-performance networking concepts, RDMA, or communication middleware
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and executive audiences
- 12+ years of experience in software engineering with significant time spent in management or director-level roles
- Advanced Fabric Knowledge: Deep experience with libfabric/OFI, UCX, verbs-style concepts, or specific interconnect technologies (Omni-Path, InfiniBand, RoCE)
- AI/HPC Expertise: Familiarity with HPC/AI communication libraries (MPI/SHMEM/NCCL/RCCL) and cluster-scale benchmarking and profiling
- Development Velocity: Experience utilizing AI-augmented development tools to increase team efficiency and code quality
- Open Source: Proven track record of meaningful contributions to major open-source systems projects such (e.g., the Linux kernel)
- Education: Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline highly preferred
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.