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Software Defined Networking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Crusoe

Senior Software Engineer, Networking

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking will lead the development and execution of the Software Defined Networking strategy, collaborating with the engineering team and network ...

KBR, Inc.

Network Software Developer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$101.50K - $152.20K/yr

Individuals in this position operate as part of an MIT LL team and are responsible for developing software related to software defined networking, routing protocols, and associated software ...

KBR

Network Software Developer

Lexington, MA

$101.50K - $152.20K/yr

Individuals in this position operate as part of an MIT LL team and are responsible for developing software related to software defined networking, routing protocols, and associated software ...

Crusoe

Senior Software Engineer, Networking

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking, you will lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. You will work extensively with the Linux Kernel ...

Crusoe

Senior Software Engineer, Networking

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking, you will lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. You will work extensively with the Linux Kernel ...

Crusoe

Software Engineer II, SDN Networking

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$114.40K - $156.70K/yr

As a Software Engineer II - Software Defined Networking, you will lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. You will work extensively with the Linux Kernel ...

Crusoe

Principal Software Engineer, SDN Networking

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$158.40K - $212.40K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking to lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. This role will be instrumental in driving ...

Crusoe

Software Engineer II, SDN Networking

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$114.90K - $157.30K/yr

As a Software Engineer II - Software Defined Networking, you will lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. You will work extensively with the Linux Kernel ...

Crusoe

Software Engineer II, SDN Networking

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$114.90K - $157.30K/yr

As a Software Engineer II - Software Defined Networking, you will lead the development and execution of our Software Defined Networking strategy. You will work extensively with the Linux Kernel ...

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Software Defined Networking information

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$30.5K

$45.3K

$61K

How much do software defined networking jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for software defined networking in the United States is $45,311.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $48,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Defined Networking (SDN) Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Defined Networking (SDN) Engineer, you need a strong background in computer networking, programming (such as Python or Java), and a relevant degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Familiarity with SDN controllers (like OpenDaylight or ONOS), virtualization platforms, and certifications such as Cisco CCNP or equivalent are highly valued. Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help set professionals apart in designing and managing complex, dynamic networks. These skills and qualifications are vital for building scalable, automated networks that support business agility and innovation.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Software Defined Networking (SDN)?

Professionals in Software Defined Networking often encounter challenges such as integrating SDN solutions with existing legacy infrastructure, ensuring network security in dynamically programmable environments, and keeping up with rapidly evolving protocols and technologies. Collaboration between network engineers, software developers, and IT security teams is critical for successful deployment and management of SDN systems. Staying current with industry standards and effective troubleshooting are also important daily aspects of the role.

What is Software Defined Networking (SDN)?

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a network architecture approach that separates the control plane from the data plane in networking equipment. This means that the network intelligence and policy-making are centralized in a software-based SDN controller, rather than being distributed across individual hardware devices. SDN allows for easier network management, programmability, and automation, making it possible to quickly adapt to changing business needs and optimize network resources. Organizations use SDN to improve network efficiency, reduce operational costs, and enable innovation in network services.

What is the difference between Software Defined Networking vs Network Engineer?

AspectSoftware Defined NetworkingNetwork Engineer
Primary FocusAutomating and centralizing network management through softwareDesigning, implementing, and maintaining physical and virtual networks
Required SkillsNetworking protocols, virtualization, scripting, software developmentNetworking protocols, hardware configuration, troubleshooting
CertificationsCisco CCNA/CCNP, VMware, Cisco DevNetCCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentData centers, cloud environments, software development teamsCorporate offices, data centers, client sites

While Software Defined Networking focuses on software-based network management and automation, Network Engineers handle the physical and virtual network infrastructure. Both roles require networking knowledge, but SDN emphasizes programming and software skills, whereas Network Engineers focus on hardware and network configuration.

More about Software Defined Networking jobs
What cities are hiring for Software Defined Networking jobs? Cities with the most Software Defined Networking job openings:
What states have the most Software Defined Networking jobs? States with the most job openings for Software Defined Networking jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Software Defined Networking jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Software Defined Networking jobs are:
Software Defined Networking jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Defined Networking job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,311 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, Networking

Crusoe

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Crusoe is an AI infrastructure company focused on accelerating energy and intelligence. The Senior Software Engineer - Software Defined Networking will lead the development and execution of the Software Defined Networking strategy, collaborating with the engineering team and network infrastructure organization to innovate and improve performance.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute the roadmap for the Software Defined Networking strategy at Crusoe Cloud.
• Be highly hands-on, guiding the engineering team through architecture decisions, design processes, design reviews, code reviews, and implementation tasks.
• Collaborate with the network infrastructure organization to develop industry-leading networking infrastructure.
• Lead Linux Kernel and driver development, system architecture design, production support, and cross-functional collaboration.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 4+ years of related experience building and operating at scale in a production environment.
• Proven experience in system programming with C, C++ and/or Rust.
• Extensive knowledge of Linux Systems Internals and computer architecture.
• Expertise in Network Programming and Packet Processing pipelines.
• Hands-on experience with kernel bypass technologies such as XDP/EBPF, AF_XDP, and DPDK.
• In-depth understanding of TCP/IP and network accelerators like Mellanox/Nvidia SmartNIC (ConnectX6/7), DPU Bluefield3, and Intel IPU.
• Familiarity with SR-IOV, vDPA, and scalable functions.
• Strong background in kernel or embedded development, particularly with the Linux kernel.
• Experience with Open vSwitch, Openflow, and Open Virtual Networking.
• Knowledge of professional software engineering practices and best practices for the full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations.
• Demonstrated track record of contributions to the open source community (e.g., Open vSwitch/OVS, Open Virtual Networking/OVN, Multus, Cilium).
Preferred:
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience in a technical role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience with cloud networking platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and virtualization technologies (VMware, KVM).
Company:
Crusoe is a vertically integrated AI infrastructure company that builds and operates data centers powered by energy sources. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Denver, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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