Senior Platform Software Engineer - Platform Architect
NVIDIA is building a new wave of accelerated computing systems, where platform manageability, secure firmware, and high-performance networking must work as one coherent architecture. We are looking for an engineer to help define and implement OpenBMC-based management for systems that include host CPUs, BMCs, and coordinated top-of-rack Ethernet switching functionality.
This role focuses on extending the BMC from a traditional server management controller into a secure management authority for both system management and Ethernet switch management, while preserving clear separation between the BMC management plane and the switch data plane.
Are you ready to help develop the next generation of OpenBMC networking architecture? Join us at the forefront of platform firmware, system management, and enterprise network infrastructure.
What you'll be doing:
Architect and implement OpenBMC support for platforms where the BMC handles host system functions and a coordinated ToR Ethernet switch subsystem.
Define the end-to-end switch-management architecture across OpenBMC D-Bus services, bmcweb/Redfish APIs, persistent configuration, eventing, telemetry, security, and backend switch control interfaces.
Develop OpenBMC object models and services for switch inventory, switch ASICs, front-panel ports, internal ports, PHYs, optics, retimers, VLANs, LAGs, FDB entries, counters, sensors, and health state.
Implement L2 networking capabilities including port admin control, speed and FEC configuration, auto-negotiation, breakout, VLAN creation and membership, access/trunk mode, MAC learning, FDB management, flooding controls, link aggregation, and loop-prevention features.
Build backend abstraction layers that can integrate with Linux switchdev/netlink, SAI/SONiC/SWSS-style components, DENT-style Linux networking components, or vendor switch ASIC SDKs.
Work closely with hardware, ASIC, security, firmware, QA, manufacturing, and cloud infrastructure networking teams to influence board architecture, schematics, manageability interfaces, and production test strategy.
Write and review design specifications, API documentation, code, unit tests, hardware-in-loop tests, integration tests, and QA plans required to productize the architecture.
What we need to see:
Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of relevant experience.
Strong OpenBMC firmware development experience on x86 or ARM-based server environments, such as Yocto, systemd, D-Bus, phosphor services, bmcweb, Redfish, firmware update, device monitoring, and platform security.
Hands-on experience with Ethernet switch architecture and L2 features such as VLANs, trunks, access ports, LAG/LACP, STP/RSTP, LLDP, FDB/MAC learning, storm control, ACLs, QoS, PHY management, and transceiver diagnostics.
System management software experience with rack or blade server platforms, including IPMI, KCS, Redfish, PLDM, MCTP, SPDM, secure firmware update, attestation, and BMC-host communication.
Strong programming and debugging skills in C/C++ and Python, with familiarity in Bash, Go, or Rust; ability to develop reliable Linux user-space services and review low-level system code.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong ownership, high engineering judgment, and a passion for solving hard multi-functional problems.
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
Contributions to OpenBMC, Linux networking, switchdev, SONiC, SAI, DENT, FRR, LLDP, OCP, DMTF, Redfish, or other open-source platform-management and networking projects!
Experience building a switch network operating system, BMC-managed switch subsystem, or converged server/switch management architecture for hyperscale or enterprise platforms.
Expected impact:
Deliver a reusable OpenBMC switch-management architecture that supports multiple switch backend implementations without tying the platform model to one ASIC vendor.
Enable a unified management experience for host platform health, BMC management, and ToR switch network health through coherent inventory, configuration, telemetry, and lifecycle workflows.
Improve platform reliability by providing safe defaults, validated configuration persistence, rollback, diagnostics, and strong separation between management and data-plane traffic.
NVIDIA is broadly recognized as a leading employer within the technology world. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people working with us. If you are creative, autonomous, and excited to build the boundary between platform firmware and data-center networking, we want to hear from you. NVIDIA is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.