System Software Engineer Full-time, existing vacancy. Located in Ottawa, ON – onsite.

Overview We are building next‑generation optical switch platforms and seek a Staff Systems Software Engineer to lead the build, release, and long‑term maintenance of SONiC software used in production systems. This high‑impact role includes end‑to‑end ownership of SONiC releases that ship on Lumentum optical switch products, collaborating closely with optical hardware, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and product teams to ensure stable, scalable, and production‑ready software across multiple hardware generations.

What You’ll Be Doing Own the build, release, and lifecycle maintenance of SONiC software for Lumentum optical switch platforms.

Define and drive production‑quality SONiC releases, ensuring stability, scalability, and repeatability across hardware generations.

Lead investigation and resolution of complex system‑level issues spanning SONiC, Linux, platform software, device drivers, firmware, and optical hardware.

Provide technical leadership for platform bring‑up, system integration, and production readiness of new optical switch products.

Define, improve, and scale build, release, and regression validation frameworks.

Track upstream SONiC development and manage patches, upgrades, and long‑term support strategies.

Partner closely with hardware, firmware, manufacturing, and product teams to align software readiness with business milestones.

Act as a technical authority for SONiC production software, influencing architecture, design decisions, and best practices.

Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and drive technical alignment across teams.

Produce and maintain clear technical documentation, release notes, and operational guidance.

Education &

Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Deep experience in embedded Linux or systems software engineering.

Proven experience building, releasing, and maintaining SONiC or other network operating systems in production environments.

Robust hands‑on experience with SONiC Docker containers, service orchestration, and containerized workflows.

Experience with Debian‑based build systems, package creation, and dependency management.

Strong understanding of systemd services, startup sequencing, and service lifecycle management.

Advanced Linux expertise with strong scripting skills in Python and/or Bash.

Demonstrated ability to debug high‑impact, cross‑layer system issues involving software and hardware.

Experience operating in production‑focused, high‑reliability environments.

Strong technical communication skills and the ability to lead cross‑functional discussions.

Nice to Have Deep familiarity with SONiC build internals, including docker‑based build flows and image generation.

Experience supporting multiple hardware platforms and long‑lived maintenance releases.

Contributions to open‑source networking projects, including SONiC.

Perks Flexible time off

Health and wellness benefits (physical and mental)

Tuition reimbursement and career growth support

Free gym, games room, and prayer room

Subsidized meals, free coffee/tea

Employee stock options and incentive plans A cooperative, innovative, and inclusive culture

Salary Range $110,625 – $149,675 CAD (flexible). Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and qualifications. Lumentum offers competitive total rewards, including annual bonus, equity, and comprehensive health and welfare benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Your uniqueness makes us stronger, sparks creativity, and drives our success.