Upscale AI is a Santa Clara–based startup building synchronized AI-cluster networking that integrates GPUs, accelerators, storage and networking.
Why join Upscale AI Upscale AI is building the high-performance infrastructure powering the next generation of artificial intelligence. Backed by over $300M in funding and rapid global adoption, we are scaling systems designed for the world’s most demanding AI workloads. We focus on first-principles engineering across silicon, systems, and networking—where performance, scale, and execution are critical. Our team is talent-dense and high-performing. We value ownership, technical rigor, and speed, and we offer the opportunity to work on foundational problems with immediate, real-world impact. If you’re looking to do high-impact work, move fast, and help define the infrastructure behind the future of AI—Upscale AI is where you can produce meaningful work at the frontier—and operate at a high standard. Principal Engineer: SDK, SAI & Platform Debugging We are looking for a seasoned networking software professional with 12+ years of industry experience in switch software, ASIC SDKs, and network operating systems. This role is intended for an experienced engineer who can independently lead complex technical investigations, drive cross-functional problem resolution, and act as the go-to expert for SDK, SAI, and platform-related issues. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience debugging across the entire networking software stack, including SAI, SDK, NOS, Linux kernel, platform drivers, and hardware interfaces. Beyond troubleshooting, the candidate is expected to influence architecture, guide engineering teams, engage directly with silicon vendors, and establish best practices for platform stability and supportability. What will you do ? Provide guidance on SDK-SAI integration and platform software design. Drive technical reviews and influence software design decisions to improve debuggability, reliability and maintainability of the Network Operating System (NOS). Analyze SDK-SAI interactions and identify functional, performance, or scalability bottlenecks. Serve as a lead for SDK- and SAI-related escalations across product development and customer deployments. Lead investigation and resolution of complex issues involving ASIC SDKs, SAI implementations, and switching platforms. Own end-to-end root cause analysis of critical platform, feature, performance, and scale issues. Coordinate across development, QA, platform, silicon vendors, and support teams to drive issue resolution. Work closely with ASIC vendors while debugging SDK defects, feature gaps, and interoperability issues. Analyze crashes, memory leaks, packet drops, forwarding inconsistencies, and hardware-software interaction issues. Debug issues spanning SDK, SAI, Platform software, Linux kernel, Hardware abstraction layers, Control and data plane components Mentor and coach engineers on troubleshooting methodologies, debugging techniques, and networking fundamentals. Who you are? Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Electronics, Telecommunications. 12–18 years of experience in networking, software development, SDK Debugging & Troubleshooting. Proven track record of leading complex SDK debugging and issue resolution efforts. Strong Linux system debugging and networking stack knowledge. Strong hands-on expertise with at least one networking switch SDKs viz. Broadcom, Marvell, Cisco Silicon One, or similar merchant silicon SDKs Deep understanding of SAI architecture, APIs, and SDK-SAI Interface and models. Good understanding of Switching ASICs, Linux Networking, Linux Networking, Packet Flow Analysis Strong expertise in: Ethernet Switching L2/L3 Forwarding VLAN, STP, LACP, ACLs, QOS, ECMP, ACLs, QOS, ECMP, BGP, VXLAN/EVPN and Routing protocols Proficiency in C/C++ and Python. Desirable: Direct engagement with silicon vendors for issue triage and feature enablement. Exposure to hyperscale, cloud, or datacenter networking environments. Exposure on SONiC, Platform Bring-up, NVIDIA Spectrum Series SDK Diagnostics Automation & Test Frameworks