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Job Summary

The Principal Software Engineer – Data Center Network Tooling is the senior technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and evolution of software platforms that automate, observe, and operate the data center network. This role defines technical direction for network tooling, establishes engineering standards, and partners with network, SRE, security, and platform teams to translate network intent into scalable, reliable software systems.
The Principal Engineer operates at a systems and organizational level, influencing architecture and strategy while remaining hands-on with the most complex and high-impact technical challenges.

Job Description

EXPERIENCE Level: 8 to 12 Years
Location: Chennai

Key Responsibilities

Platform Architecture & Technical Strategy

Define and own the architecture for data center network automation, tooling, and control-plane services
Establish long-term technical vision and roadmap for network software platforms
Lead design reviews and set engineering standards for reliability, scalability, and security
Ensure tooling supports multi–data center, hybrid, and cloud-adjacent network environments

Software Engineering Excellence

Design and implement complex, distributed software systems that manage network state, intent, and change
Build and evolve APIs, control planes, and data models representing network topology, policy, and lifecycle
Drive best practices in code quality, testing, observability, and operational readiness
Make principled tradeoffs between speed, complexity, and long-term maintainability

Network Automation & Intent-Based Systems

Lead development of automation frameworks for provisioning, validation, and continuous compliance
Translate network designs and operational requirements into software abstractions and workflows
Enable infrastructure-as-code, configuration-as-code, and GitOps-style workflows for networking
Reduce manual configuration and human error through software-driven controls

Reliability, Observability & Operations

Architect systems that improve network visibility, telemetry ingestion, and fault isolation
Partner with SRE and operations teams to improve MTTR and incident prevention
Lead root cause analysis for tooling-related incidents and ensure durable fixes
Define SLOs and reliability targets for network software platforms

Technical Leadership & Influence

Serve as the highest-level technical escalation point for network tooling and automation
Mentor senior and staff-level engineers and shape engineering culture
Influence adjacent platform, cloud, and security architectures without direct authority
Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to engineering leadership and executives

Vendor & Ecosystem Integration

Evaluate and integrate vendor APIs, controllers, and network operating systems
Influence vendor roadmaps through technical engagement and proof-of-concept work
Assess build vs. buy decisions for network management and automation capabilities

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
8+ to 12 years of professional software engineering experience, including large-scale infrastructure systems
Proven experience designing and operating production-grade distributed systems
Strong proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, Go, Java)
Deep understanding of networking fundamentals and data center network architectures
Experience building automation or control-plane software for infrastructure platforms
Demonstrated ability to lead technical strategy and influence across organizations

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with data center networking technologies (EVPN/VXLAN, BGP, spine-leaf architectures)
Familiarity with network telemetry, time-series data platforms, and observability stacks
Experience integrating with network devices, SDN controllers, or intent-based systems
Background in SRE, platform engineering, or large-scale infrastructure operations
Experience with hybrid cloud connectivity and multi-environment orchestration

Core Competencies

Systems-level architectural thinking
Technical leadership without formal authority
Strong written and verbal communication
Bias toward automation, reliability, and simplicity
Product mindset for internal platforms

We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That's why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality—to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life.

Please visit the benefits summary on our careers site for more details.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.

Certifications (if applicable)

Relevant Work Experience

7-10 Years

Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

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