Principal Software Engineer (Networking)

Safran Passenger Innovations
Brea, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/8/2024

At Safran Passenger Innovations, we make flying fun by focusing on maximizing the Passenger Experience. As an innovative In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) company we design, engineer, manufacture, sell and support world-class In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity solutions. Our products are constantly evolving, solving complex media distribution, playback, and networking problems in a demanding on-wing environment. Safran IFEC products are utilized by many of the world’s premier air carriers. Step aboard and help us by creating the best in-flight experiences for today and beyond!

Job Summary

As a Principal Networking Software Engineer on the Software Development team, you will engage with an experienced cross-disciplinary staff to design and implement innovative In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) products applying state-of-the-art networking (wired and wireless) concepts and technologies to modernize all networking aspects of our platform, including on-wing and off-wing Compute, Networking and Storage. Working closely with inter-disciplinary teams you will participate in the architecture, design, development, test, and integration of software features for the RAVE IFEC systems and products using a hybrid development methodology. You must be a self-starter, responsive, flexible, and able to succeed within an open, collaborative peer environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the design, creation, development, and improvement of networking features, packaging, tools, testing, test automation, continuous integration, delivery, documentation, and building of complex distributed systems in a low power, low latency, heat-conscious environment
  • Troubleshoot, triage, debug, and resolve networking problems
  • Demonstrate a passion for continuous improvement and take personal ownership of quality
  • Provide guidance, mentoring, training, and support across product development and the broader IFE business
  • Provide realistic estimates, foster a culture of transparency, and meet agreed-upon commitments
  • Facilitate communication internally, with stakeholders, users, and/or customers on specifications, architecture, design, implementation, and approvals
  • Actively participate, engage, and contribute during meetings
  • Leverage other internal organizations to facilitate product success
  • Prepare and present technical information for large and diverse audiences
  • Assess third-party and open-source software and in some cases implement the same
  • Adhere to, contribute to, and help improve both organizational processes and the software development lifecycle (SDLC)


  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience in a related field (Electrical Engineering training or experience is advantageous)
  • 3-6 years of experience in a Senior (or above) level role within Network software engineering
  • 15 years of overall software development experience

Required Experience

  • Ethernet/Networking expertise including Security, Linux kernel network stack, and network interfaces
    • Mastery of basic networking concepts such as routing, switching, bridging and wireless and related protocols
    • Deep network understanding including protocols, debugging, layers, security, intrusion detection, log analysis, and network scanning
    • STP, RSTP, IGMP, VLANs
    • Understand the OSI model and the relationship between layers
    • Hybrid networking concepts (Cloud/On-Prem/On-Wing)
    • VPN and VPC concepts
    • Low-level switching design and implementation
    • Redundant loop network designs
  • Design experience with Ethernet Switches – specifically, Marvell
  • Experience with network-level drivers (WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE)
  • UNIX/Linux or embedded operating systems using C/C
  • Experience troubleshooting & root cause analysis of software and hardware problems, particularly at the device driver level
  • Experience with formal Engineering Requirements documentation and processes

Desired Experience

  • Understanding of embedded system software architecture and constraints particularly with ARM/x86 processors
  • Cellular modem/firmware knowledge
  • Adept at implementing internal tools to support development and troubleshooting for the entire DevSecOps stack
  • Understanding of Video/Media content, playback, delivery, and streaming including DRM as well as an understanding of distributed file sharing concepts like BitTorrent

Experiences with any of the following languages, technologies, and/or techniques would be advantageous:

  • Low level kernel/driver knowledge of Linux 4.x and 5.x
  • Python, Qt/QML and GUI development
  • MQTT, IPC, RPC, sockets and/or audio/video players
  • Highly available, fault-tolerant, distributed, or clustered systems development
  • Audio/Video (A/V) device drivers, A/V kernel modules and/or A/V libraries
  • 4K Video and DRM understanding
  • ARINC 429 (data transfer) and RS-485/422
  • Understanding of bus design: I2C, PCIe, SPI, MDIO, CAN, etc.
  • Experience with various security/cryptography concepts such as PKI, SSL and TLS with respect to embedded devices
  • Windows using C/C /C#, .Net, web programming, JavaScript, ASP, SQL, Node, Go and functional compute like AWS Lambda
  • Mobile application communications development and loosely coupled designs
  • Experience with npm, Bower or Webpack would advantageous
  • Understanding of containers and virtual machines using Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, or other control planes and compute primitives
  • Familiarity with micro-service architecture
  • Experience refactoring/rearchitecting monolithic solutions into distributed microservices, containerized or serverless with heavy API design and implementation strategies

The starting pay range for this position is $148,000 to $192,000 per year however, base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location.

In addition to a comprehensive package of health benefits that include company contributions, Safran Passenger Innovations offers a variety of additional benefits and perks to enhance your work-life balance experience including but not limited to:

- A home allowance to elevate your home workspace

- Discretionary bonus program

- Future financial security with a 401(k) program with company match

- Paid time off covering vacations, personal time off and sick days, capped off by an exciting year-end holiday shutdown

- Embraced flexibility with our alternative work schedule (9/80) to navigate your workweeks with every other Friday off

Salary : $148,000 - $192,000

Estimate Salary for Principal Software Engineer (Networking) in Brea, CA
$113,393 (Medium)
$103,270 (25th)
$124,156 (75th)
For Employer
Looking for Real-time Job Posting Salary Data?
Keep a pulse on the job market with advanced job matching technology.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs that are on the Principal Software Engineer (Networking) career path.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

Income Estimation: 
$119,625 - $146,225
Income Estimation: 
$143,143 - $174,846
Income Estimation: 
$119,625 - $146,225
Income Estimation: 
$143,143 - $174,846
Income Estimation: 
$109,716 - $134,511
Income Estimation: 
$127,420 - $161,060
Income Estimation: 
$115,991 - $146,962
Income Estimation: 
$109,184 - $136,220
Income Estimation: 
$135,864 - $168,875

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Principal Software Engineer (Networking).

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Bug/Defect Analysis Skill

    • Income Estimation: $206,887 - $279,244
    • Income Estimation: $218,041 - $279,655
  • Debugging Skill

    • Income Estimation: $169,927 - $202,360
    • Income Estimation: $175,014 - $213,766
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Safran Passenger Innovations

Safran Passenger Innovations
Hired Organization Address Brea, CA Full Time
Shift : 2nd, 2 : 00PM-10 : 30PM, Mondy-Friday The Inspector II performs receiving, in-process, and final inspection on e...
Safran Passenger Innovations
Hired Organization Address Brea, CA Full Time
Company Summary At Safran Passenger Innovations, we make flying fun by focusing on maximizing the Passenger Experience. ...
Safran Passenger Innovations
Hired Organization Address Brea, CA Full Time
Note: The level and job title extended will be determined based on individual qualifications, experience, and relevant s...
Safran Passenger Innovations
Hired Organization Address Brea, CA Temporary
Shift: 2nd, 2:00PM-10:30PM, Mondy-Friday The Inspector II performs receiving, in-process, and final inspection on electr...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Software Engineer (Networking) jobs in the Brea, CA area that may be a better fit.

Principal Software Engineer (Software Infrastructure)

Safran Passenger Innovations, Brea, CA