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Software Defined Networking Engineer 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 ...

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 ...

Cargill

Senior Network Engineer

Atlanta, GA

$100K - $137K/yr

... software defined networking infrastructure. In this role you will provide thought leadership and actively engage in a network transformation project to migrate legacy physical networking ...

Cargill

Senior Network Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$103.20K - $141.40K/yr

... software defined networking infrastructure. In this role you will provide thought leadership and actively engage in a network transformation project to migrate legacy physical networking ...

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 ...

Cargill

Senior Network Engineer

Atlanta, GA

$103.20K - $141.40K/yr

... software defined networking infrastructure. In this role you will provide thought leadership and actively engage in a network transformation project to migrate legacy physical networking ...

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 ...

KBR, Inc.

Network Software Developer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$101.50K - $152.20K/yr

Title: Network Software Developer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security ... Support in the development of software-defined networking and/or routing approaches to solve ...

KBR

Network Software Developer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$101.50K - $152.20K/yr

Title: Network Software Developer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security ... Support in the development of software-defined networking and/or routing approaches to solve ...

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All JobsSoftware Defined Networking Engineer Jobs

Software Defined Networking Engineer information

See salary details

$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do software defined networking engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for software defined networking engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Software Defined Networking (SDN) Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, network architecture, and programming skills—typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with SDN controllers (like OpenDaylight), virtualization platforms, network automation tools, and certifications such as Cisco CCNP or VMware NSX are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help set candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting dynamic, scalable network solutions that meet evolving business needs.

What are some common challenges Software Defined Networking Engineers face when integrating SDN solutions into existing network infrastructures?

Software Defined Networking Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy hardware and new SDN controllers, minimizing network downtime during migration, and managing the learning curve associated with new SDN tools and protocols. Additionally, they must address security concerns unique to programmable networks and work closely with cross-functional teams to align SDN deployments with organizational goals. Effective communication and thorough planning are key to overcoming these obstacles and ensuring a smooth transition to SDN environments.

What is a Software Defined Networking (SDN) Engineer?

A Software Defined Networking (SDN) Engineer is an IT professional who designs, implements, and manages networks using SDN technologies. Unlike traditional networking, SDN separates the network's control plane from the data plane, allowing engineers to programmatically control network behavior through software. SDN Engineers work with controllers, APIs, and network protocols to create flexible, scalable, and automated network environments. Their responsibilities often include integrating SDN solutions with existing infrastructure, troubleshooting network issues, and optimizing performance. This role is essential for organizations looking to modernize their networks and improve efficiency.

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

AspectSoftware Defined Networking EngineerNetwork Engineer
CertificationsCCNA, CCNP, Cisco DevNet, SDN-specific certificationsCCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentData centers, cloud environments, SDN platformsCorporate networks, ISPs, enterprise infrastructure
Industry UsageCloud providers, telecoms, large enterprises adopting SDNTraditional network infrastructure across various industries

Software Defined Networking Engineers focus on designing and implementing SDN solutions, leveraging automation and virtualization to manage networks. Network Engineers maintain and troubleshoot traditional network infrastructure. While both roles require networking knowledge, SDN Engineers specialize in software-based network control, making their skills more aligned with modern, programmable networks.

More about Software Defined Networking Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Software Defined Networking Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Software Defined Networking Engineer jobs are:
Software Defined Networking Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Defined Networking Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, Networking

Crusoe

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$144.30K - $190.30K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 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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