Principal Software Engineer SD-WAN

About the role

This role has been designed as ''Onsite' with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.

About the role

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will serve as the technical leader and chief architect for our next-generation secure SD-WAN solutions. This is a hands-on, visionary role where you will define and drive the technical strategy for highly secure, scalable, and high-performance networking products. You will address complex challenges in secure connectivity, advanced cryptography, and large-scale packet processing, directly shaping the future of our SD-WAN portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of secure SD-WAN products, including site-to-site and remote access solutions for enterprise environments.
• Drive performance optimization initiatives, leveraging technologies such as DPDK, VPP, eBPF technology, and hardware crypto accelerators to ensure robust throughput and reliability.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership and mentorship to senior engineers, fostering a culture of excellence in code quality, design, and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product management, hardware, QA) to translate business requirements into innovative technical solutions.
• Research, evaluate, and integrate emerging security technologies, including quantum-safe cryptography, to future-proof products against evolving threats.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex networking and security issues, ensuring the highest standards of product integrity and customer trust.
• Work with external penetration testing companies and manage the secure development lifecycle of products through penetration testing.
• Proactive in analyzing CVEs and security vulnerabilities, advising product development teams on remediation to ensure products deliver high levels of security and customer confidence.
• Handle customer escalations related to security issues and perform threat analysis.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, with a strong emphasis on secure networking, embedded systems, and Linux kernel development.
• Deep expertise in IPSec/VPN technologies, including IKEv2 protocol, tunnel modes, and advanced troubleshooting.
• 5+ years high-performance networking frameworks (DPDK, VPP, eBPF technology), security protocols (IPSec, TLS, SSL), and cryptographic libraries and accelerators (OpenSSL, AES, RSA, ECC, Intel QAT, AES-NI).
• Developed solutions using open-source networking and security tools like StrongSwan, Libreswan, OpenVPN, or WireGuard..
• Experience with FIPS 140-2/3 validation and Common Criteria certification for security products.
• Extensive experience with hardware offloading (Intel QAT, AES-NI) for cryptographic operations.
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++ and multithreaded, system-level programming.
• Proven track record of architecting, leading, and delivering large-scale, secure networking products.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Experience working on NextGen Firewalls, Secure Web Gateways, IDS/IPS, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is a plus.

Preferred

• Experience with quantum-safe cryptography and next-generation security protocols.
• Background in SD-WAN product development for enterprise or service provider markets.
• Accessibility

Additional information

HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.

What We Can Offer You: Health & Wellbeing

We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development

We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have - whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

Unconditional Inclusion

We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.

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Job

Engineering

Job Level: TCP_05

"The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.

• United States of America: Annual Salary USD 155,500 - 315,000 in California

The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered."