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Software Defined Networking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

Sr. Software Development Engineer, MONA

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We build the in-house software that solves our hardest network business problems - controllers, software-defined networking (SDN), and planning systems. For example, we own a controller for agentic ...

Amazon

Sr. Software Development Engineer, MONA

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We build the in-house software that solves our hardest network business problems - controllers, software-defined networking (SDN), and planning systems. For example, we own a controller for agentic ...

Leidos

Network Architect

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

SDN / Hardware Defined Networking: Experience with both software defined and hardware defined networking technologies. * Kubernetes Based Networking: Direct experience designing, deploying, and ...

Leidos

Network Administrator

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

SDN / Hardware Defined Networking: Experience with both software defined and hardware defined networking technologies. * Kubernetes Based Networking: Direct experience designing, deploying, and ...

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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 Aug 22, 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 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 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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,311 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Sr. Software Development Engineer, MONA

Amazon

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,107 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

AWS runs one of the largest networks in the world, and MONA (Management, Out-of-Band Networks, and Automation) alone owns over one million physical devices across its full lifecycle. We are in the critical path for every new data center powering the AI revolution.
We build the in-house software that solves our hardest network business problems - controllers, software-defined networking (SDN), and planning systems. For example, we own a controller for agentic network auto-remediation, and the planning software that plans every new data center down to capacity and ports

We are looking for a Senior Software Development Engineer to be a technical leader and force multiplier: you will partner with the engineering manager to shape our software strategy while continuing to design and build these systems at fleet scale. If you want the scope to influence what we build and how we build it - and to keep building it yourself - this is that role.
Key job responsibilities
- Partner with the engineering manager to shape the team's software strategy - architecture, roadmap, and long-term vision - for the in-house systems behind a 1M+ device network (everything we run, we build ourselves).
- Design and build the in-house systems that solve our business problems - controllers, software-defined networking (SDN), and planning software - end-to-end, architected to scale with robust tests and metrics.
- Own and evolve our controller for agentic network auto-remediation that detects and resolves network issues automatically.
- Build the planning software that plans every new data center - capacity, racks, and ports - and deploys new network fabric.
- Own out-of-band management-plane services: serial console access to every server and router, plus managed connectivity such as SSH.
- Drive correctness and safety for automation acting on production networks: idempotency, guardrails, and observability that proves work actually happened.
- Lead design reviews, raise the operational-excellence and code-quality bar, and mentor engineers.
- Participate in on-call and help lead high-severity incident response.
A day in the life
No two days look the same. One morning you are whiteboarding with the manager and a principal engineer on how to evolve the control plane for the next wave of AI data centers; the next you are deep in a greenfield auto-remediation service that resolves faults automatically instead of paging a human at 3am

You will make a teammate's design better, unblock a data-center build with capacity planning, and harden out-of-band console access to a million devices. You will see your work land at a scale almost nowhere else can offer - with real autonomy and teammates sharp enough to make you better.
About the team
MONA (Management, Out-of-Band Networks, and Automation) is part of AWS Core Networking. We are a highly motivated team of software, systems, and network developers who thrive on solving challenging problems and building large-scale distributed systems

AWS runs one of the largest networks in the world, and MONA alone owns the full lifecycle of over a million physical devices - driving new innovation in one of the largest data center networks on Earth. Everything we run we build in-house: controllers, software-defined networking, planning software, etc.

What Amazon employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

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