Principal Engineer - Control Plane / Data Plane

SonicWall Inc.

Job Overview

Location

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Lead the development and optimization of a critical dataplane module for SonicWall’s next-generation firewall (NGFW) platforms, directly impacting the performance, scalability, and security of enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions used globally.
• Design, implement, and enhance high-performance packet-processing paths using DPDK, ODP, OFP, or similar frameworks to achieve ultra-low latency and maximum throughput in cloud, hybrid, and traditional network environments.
• Diagnose and resolve complex performance bottlenecks, throughput limitations, and latency issues in the dataplane through deep system analysis, profiling, and tuning.
• Collaborate closely with platform, networking, security, and QA teams to deliver robust features, ensure seamless integration, and drive product improvements across the NGFW stack.
• Prototype and evaluate emerging dataplane technologies (e.g., eBPF, hardware offload, programmable switches) to inform and shape next-generation NGFW capabilities and long-term technical roadmap.
• Influence architectural decisions, scalability strategies, and technical direction for dataplane components, mentoring junior engineers and establishing best practices for high-performance systems.
• Work in a hybrid environment in Pune, contributing to a mission-driven cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of innovation in protecting enterprises, governments, and SMBs against evolving cyber threats.
• Gain deep expertise in cutting-edge packet processing, network security architectures, and real-time systems while contributing to products that secure millions of users worldwide.

🎯 Requirements

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in C/C++ systems-level development for networking, embedded, or high-performance platforms.
• Strong expertise in DPDK, ODP, OFP, or comparable high-performance packet-processing frameworks.
• Solid understanding of L3/L4 networking protocols including IPv4/IPv6, routing, NAT, VPN/IPsec, and related technologies.
• Proven ability to design and optimize multi-threaded, low-latency, high-throughput systems.
• Strong knowledge of OS internals, memory management, concurrency models, and network stack behavior.
• Excellent debugging, performance tuning, and system analysis skills with experience using profilers, tracers, and kernel tools.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, capable of driving cross-functional technical discussions and influencing architectural decisions.

🏖️ Benefits

• Opportunity to work on mission-critical cybersecurity technology protecting organizations in over 100 countries.
• Hybrid work model based in Pune, offering flexibility and collaboration.
• Access to cutting-edge tools and frameworks (DPDK, ODP, OFP) in a high-impact R&D environment.
• Professional growth through leadership in architectural decisions and mentoring junior engineers.
• Exposure to next-gen NGFW technologies including eBPF, hardware offload, and programmable data planes.
• Part of a diverse, inclusive, and equal-opportunity employer committed to employee growth and innovation.

Skills & Technologies

Senior

Remote

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SonicWall Inc.

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About SonicWall Inc.

SonicWall Inc. is a cybersecurity company that designs network-security appliances and software, including next-generation firewalls, secure mobile access, email security, and threat-intelligence services for mid-market and distributed enterprises. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Milpitas, California, the company provides real-time breach detection and prevention, cloud-delivered protection, and zero-touch deployment solutions. Its portfolio spans hardware, virtual, and cloud-native offerings that secure networks, endpoints, email, and cloud applications against ransomware, encrypted threats, and zero-day attacks.

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