Title:  Director, Software Engineering (Networking)

Job Summary

We are seeking a strategic and technically adept Director of Software Engineering to lead the Networking team within the NLS (Networking Layers and Storage) organization. This role will drive innovation and execution across ONTAP’s networking stack, including control and data planes, NIC and offload technologies, and cloud networking features. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with deep expertise in networking software, people management, and cross-functional collaboration. 

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing engineering team focused on networking features, performance, and quality across ONTAP platforms. 
• Define and execute technical strategy for networking software, including FreeBSD-based stack, NIC drivers, RDMA, and offload technologies. 
• Collaborate with product management, QA, and other engineering teams to deliver scalable, resilient, and performant networking solutions. 
• Drive architectural decisions and ensure alignment with ONTAP’s hybrid cloud strategy. 
• Mentor senior managers and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Manage resource allocation, project prioritization, and delivery timelines across multiple initiatives. 
• Represent the networking team in executive reviews, roadmap planning, and customer engagements. 
• Partner with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and integration of third-party components. 

Education & Required Experience

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience in software engineering, with 5 years of people leadership experience
• Proven track record of managing large-scale networking software projects and teams. 
• Strong understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, iSCSI, NVMe, RoCE, Infiniband), NIC architecture, and cloud networking. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. 
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. 

Preferred Experience (in addition to requirements)

• Experience with ONTAP or similar storage platforms. 
• Familiarity with hybrid cloud environments and cloud-native networking. 
• Background in performance optimization and resiliency engineering. 
• Prior engagement with vendor ecosystems and hardware integration.
• Experience with FreeBSD or similar OS kernel development is highly desirable.