Software Architect

Software Architect- Advanced Product Development

SMART Modular Technologies helps customers around the world enable high performance computing through the design, development and advanced packaging of integrated memory solutions. Our portfolio ranges from today’s leading edge memory technologies to standard and legacy DRAM and Flash storage products. For more than three decades, SMART has provided standard, ruggedized, and custom memory and storage solutions that meet the needs of diverse applications in high-growth markets. For more information, visit www.smartm.com. SMART is a Penguin Solutions Company.

Overview

The Advanced Product Development team at Smart Modular Technologies is developing next-generation AI Memory Appliances for high-performance, low-latency computing.

We are seeking a Software Technologist to provide vision, technical leadership, and deep hands-on expertise in system-level software, API development, kernel development, and complex integration strategies across Linux and Windows environments. This role requires mastery in multiple programming languages, infrastructure automation, firmware development, and driving strategic proof-of-concept development from inception to deployment.

This role is specifically for a recognized expert in distributed storage architectures, memory architectures, and high-availability systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical strategy and architectural guidance for software development, leveraging extensive experience in clustered, high-availability storage solutions.
• Architect, develop, and optimize high-performance, system-level software using C++, C, Rust, and Python for Linux platforms in both user space and kernel, leaning heavily on Boost C++ and Standard Template Library (STL) expertise.
• Lead the development of firmware and embedded software for memory devices and controllers, including low-level drivers and bootloaders, building on a foundation in RTOS-based controller software.
• Define and drive advanced software packaging and deployment strategies for standard packages such as Debian and NuGet using tools like Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, and Terraform, with a specific focus on Kubernetes integration.
• Champion the integration of AI/ML frameworks including CUDA, TensorFlow, OpenCL, and streaming databases for complex SDK examples and strategic proof of concepts, translating architectural knowledge of data streaming/Kafka and metric persistence to the AI domain.
• Design and implement next-generation device management protocols and architectures, supporting RedFish, SunFish, and asynchronous management interfaces, applying prior experience with iSCSI control and complex storage management functions.
• Provide subject matter expertise and optimization for high-performance memory architectures, including CXL, PCIe, HBM, UALink, and related memory semantic interfaces, leveraging deep expertise in RAID, LVM, and object storage protocols.
• Lead Fabric Management application development and architectural decisions in highly distributed computing environments16.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science & Engineering with extensive experience.
• 10+ years of extensive, hands-on experience in Linux and Windows system-level software and kernel development.
• Deep expertise in firmware development and embedded systems, including low-level hardware-software interaction.
• Mastery of cloud infrastructure, containerization, and deployment automation, with a focus on Kubernetes.
• Proven architectural leadership in AI/ML processing, distributed memory architectures, and advanced device management.
• Must have demonstrable experience in designing and implementing clustered storage solutions, RAID functionality, and high availability systems.

Required Expertise:

• Demonstrated technical leadership in fabric management for large-scale distributed computing environments.
• Expert knowledge of memory and storage technologies and high-performance computing optimizations (e.g., NFS, iSCSI, RAID).
• Extensive experience with hardware-software co-design and validation.

Location

This is a Hybrid position located in Irvine, CA. Candidates that can work in a hybrid capacity in Newark, CA and on a fully remote basis in the US would also be considered.

Travel

Minimal travel required for conferences, supplier meetings, etc.

Compensation & Benefits

The base pay range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position int eh United States is 160,000 - 190,000; Compensation offered may vary based on business considerations, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education. The position is bonus-eligible, and there are medical, dental, and vision benefits available. There is a 401k saving plan and other benefits, such as Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, and an Employee Assistance Plan.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to creating a diverse environment that embraces differences and fosters inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, national origin, race, ethnicity, creed, gender, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.