Principal Software Engineer - Content Filtering Platform

About the Role

SonicWall is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to own the technical direction and hands-on development of our Content Filtering Service (CFS) server platform - a high-throughput, multi-threaded C++17 system that SonicWall firewalls worldwide rely on in real time to categorize URLs and enforce content filtering policies.

This is a heavily hands-on role. You will write and own production code daily, set technical direction, drive the roadmap, and mentor senior engineers - all while remaining deeply involved in the code itself. You will also be the primary bridge between the India-based engineering team and US-based management, requiring strong communication and the ability to work effectively across time zones.

Responsibilities

• Write, review, and own production C++ code across the server platform: the URL rating server, the cloud categorization relay server, and the shared common libraries.
• Drive security hardening of the binary UDP protocol, including encryption key management and protocol integrity.
• Continuously improve code quality: modernize memory ownership patterns, improve concurrency safety, and reduce technical debt.
• Set coding standards, conduct code reviews, and provide technical mentorship to the Senior Engineers on the team.
• Build and maintain comprehensive architecture documentation and design knowledge across the platform.
• Establish and drive an automated testing strategy, including C++ unit testing frameworks and integration test standards.
• Identify and prioritize technical debt and drive a realistic roadmap to address it.
• Oversee GitLab CI/CD pipelines, DEB/RPM packaging, and production deployment processes.
• Maintain platform-wide awareness to contribute to architecture decisions spanning the server, firewall client, and web platform.
• Work closely with US-based engineering and management to communicate project status, priorities, and risks clearly and proactively.

Requirements

• Expert-level C++17: move semantics, smart pointers, concurrency primitives (std::shared_mutex, std::atomic), RAII, and performance-sensitive systems code.
• Strong Linux systems programming: POSIX threads, epoll-based I/O multiplexing, and high-throughput UDP socket programming.
• Experience with high-throughput server design: thread pool patterns, cache architecture, lock-free data paths, and performance benchmarking.
• Applied cryptography: symmetric encryption (AES-CBC), key management, and integrity checks.
• Familiarity with CMake-based build systems, Linux packaging (DEB/RPM), and GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
• Comfortable taking ownership of a complex, production codebase and driving it forward independently.
• Excellent written English for asynchronous collaboration with a US-based team.

Nice to have:

• Experience with binary protocol design (TLV framing, protocol versioning, wire compatibility).
• Knowledge of DNS protocol internals.
• Experience with RabbitMQ or AMQP from a C++ client perspective.
• Background in network security, UTM appliances, or content filtering products.
• Experience integrating closed-source third-party SDKs into a CMake build.
• Experience with Java is a plus.

Education & Experience

• At least 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years with a Master's degree; or a PhD with 6 years' experience; or equivalent experience preferred. Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.

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