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Job Summary
The Principal Software Engineer – Data Center Network Tooling is the senior technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and evolution of software platforms that automate, observe, and operate the data center network. This role defines technical direction for network tooling, establishes engineering standards, and partners with network, SRE, security, and platform teams to translate network intent into scalable, reliable software systems.
The Principal Engineer operates at a systems and organizational level, influencing architecture and strategy while remaining hands-on with the most complex and high-impact technical challenges.
Job Description
EXPERIENCE Level: 8 to 12 Years
Location: Chennai
Key Responsibilities
Platform Architecture & Technical Strategy
- Define and own the architecture for data center network automation, tooling, and control-plane services
- Establish long-term technical vision and roadmap for network software platforms
- Lead design reviews and set engineering standards for reliability, scalability, and security
- Ensure tooling supports multi–data center, hybrid, and cloud-adjacent network environments
Software Engineering Excellence
- Design and implement complex, distributed software systems that manage network state, intent, and change
- Build and evolve APIs, control planes, and data models representing network topology, policy, and lifecycle
- Drive best practices in code quality, testing, observability, and operational readiness
- Make principled tradeoffs between speed, complexity, and long-term maintainability
Network Automation & Intent-Based Systems
- Lead development of automation frameworks for provisioning, validation, and continuous compliance
- Translate network designs and operational requirements into software abstractions and workflows
- Enable infrastructure-as-code, configuration-as-code, and GitOps-style workflows for networking
- Reduce manual configuration and human error through software-driven controls
Reliability, Observability & Operations
- Architect systems that improve network visibility, telemetry ingestion, and fault isolation
- Partner with SRE and operations teams to improve MTTR and incident prevention
- Lead root cause analysis for tooling-related incidents and ensure durable fixes
- Define SLOs and reliability targets for network software platforms
Technical Leadership & Influence
- Serve as the highest-level technical escalation point for network tooling and automation
- Mentor senior and staff-level engineers and shape engineering culture
- Influence adjacent platform, cloud, and security architectures without direct authority
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to engineering leadership and executives
Vendor & Ecosystem Integration
- Evaluate and integrate vendor APIs, controllers, and network operating systems
- Influence vendor roadmaps through technical engagement and proof-of-concept work
- Assess build vs. buy decisions for network management and automation capabilities
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 8+ to 12 years of professional software engineering experience, including large-scale infrastructure systems
- Proven experience designing and operating production-grade distributed systems
- Strong proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, Go, Java)
- Deep understanding of networking fundamentals and data center network architectures
- Experience building automation or control-plane software for infrastructure platforms
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical strategy and influence across organizations
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with data center networking technologies (EVPN/VXLAN, BGP, spine-leaf architectures)
- Familiarity with network telemetry, time-series data platforms, and observability stacks
- Experience integrating with network devices, SDN controllers, or intent-based systems
- Background in SRE, platform engineering, or large-scale infrastructure operations
- Experience with hybrid cloud connectivity and multi-environment orchestration
Core Competencies
- Systems-level architectural thinking
- Technical leadership without formal authority
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Bias toward automation, reliability, and simplicity
- Product mindset for internal platforms
Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That?s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality ? to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.
Relevant Work Experience
7-10 Years
