Expert Software Engineer — Rapid System Prototyping & Integration

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Expert Software Engineer — Rapid System Prototyping & Integration

Company: Keysight Technologies, Inc.

Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Software Engineering / Systems Integration

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead rapid prototyping and integration of complex, heterogeneous processing systems for cutting-edge Test & Measurement solutions.

• Design and validate high-speed data paths, ensuring line-rate performance and low-latency data streaming across multiple technology layers (Firmware, Software, GPUs, FPGAs).

• Serve as a critical integration point, ensuring seamless interoperability between hardware, firmware, and software components from various teams and vendors.

• Drive system-level integration and resolve complex challenges across high-speed interfaces, firmware, and application software, impacting strategic growth initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly specialized, focusing on the intricate integration of hardware and software for high-performance systems. While the title is "Software Engineer," the responsibilities and required skills extend significantly into systems engineering and hardware-software co-design, particularly concerning high-speed data acquisition and processing. This is not a typical application development role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead rapid prototyping efforts for large-scale, real-time heterogeneous processing systems, accelerating the iteration cycle from concept to functional demonstration.

• Integrate and validate multi-component platforms, including CPUs, GPUs, SmartNICs, SoCs, and FPGAs, connected via high-speed Ethernet (100G/200G/400G) and PCIe fabrics for high-throughput, low-latency data streaming.

• Architect, design, and validate end-to-end high-speed data paths, encompassing network ingestion, Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfers, and GPU/CPU processing pipelines to guarantee line-rate performance and deterministic behavior.

• Act as the primary integration liaison, ensuring seamless collaboration and interoperability among components developed by different teams and external vendors, operating at full data rates.

• Identify, diagnose, and resolve system-level integration challenges, including those related to high-speed interfaces (Ethernet MACs, PCIe, RDMA/RoCE, DPDK), firmware behavior, and application software interactions.

• Drive system bring-up and validation for new hardware and software architectures, ensuring robust performance and reliability.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional experts in hardware, firmware, and software domains to define system requirements and architectural designs.

• Document system architectures, integration strategies, and test results, contributing to knowledge transfer and future development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on "rapid prototyping" and "validation," indicating a need for engineers who can quickly assemble, test, and iterate on complex systems. The role requires deep technical expertise not just in software development but also in understanding the interactions between various hardware components and high-speed interfaces, suggesting a systems engineering or embedded systems background is highly valuable.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.

Experience: 8+ years of experience in system integration and software/firmware development for high-speed data streaming and real-time processing systems.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern C++ and embedded programming within a Linux environment.

• Deep understanding of Linux kernel drivers, memory-mapped I/O, and experience with performance profiling tools.

• Hands-on expertise with high-speed Ethernet (100GbE or higher), including network stack optimization, kernel bypass techniques (e.g., DPDK, RDMA/RoCE), and SmartNIC/DPU integration for line-rate data acquisition and streaming.

• Strong expertise in integrating CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs via PCIe interconnects, including DMA engine configuration, PCIe performance tuning, and understanding of FPGA-based data path subsystems.

• Proven ability to rapidly prototype and validate complex multi-component systems under tight deadlines.

• Strong analytical and debugging skills for hardware-software boundaries, including signal tracing, interface debugging, throughput analysis, and system-level root cause analysis.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-performance real-time systems, precise clocking and synchronization (PTP/IEEE 1588), and low-latency Digital Signal Processing (DSP) pipelines.

• Familiarity with FPGA development flows (SystemVerilog/VHDL) for interfacing with and validating FPGA-based IP blocks and high-speed transceivers.

• Familiarity with GPU-accelerated data processing pipelines, including data movement (e.g., GPUDirect, CUDA streams) and memory management for high-throughput workloads.

• Knowledge of network protocols relevant to high-speed data acquisition, such as UDP, custom streaming protocols, and time-stamped packet flows.

• Familiarity with Agile Scrum, Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), and version control practices suitable for rapid prototyping cycles.

• Exposure to modular systems (e.g., PXIe) and test & measurement applications.

• Understanding of digital circuit schematics and hardware bring-up processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" experience requirement, combined with the specific technologies like 100G+ Ethernet, DPDK, RDMA, and PCIe integration, indicates this is a senior or expert-level individual contributor role. The emphasis on both software and hardware interaction suggests candidates with a background in embedded systems, hardware-software co-design, or high-performance computing will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of successfully integrated complex hardware-software systems, highlighting the challenges overcome and the validation processes employed.

• Case studies showcasing rapid prototyping cycles, detailing the iterative development, testing, and validation phases.

• Examples of optimizing high-speed data paths and demonstrating line-rate performance across various interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, PCIe).

• Documentation or detailed descriptions of system architectures designed or significantly contributed to, emphasizing heterogeneous component integration.

Process Documentation:

• Documented workflows for system integration, from initial component selection and setup to full system validation.

• Methodologies for performance tuning and optimization of data streaming pipelines.

• Processes for identifying and resolving integration conflicts between hardware, firmware, and software.

• Strategies for rapid iteration and validation in a prototyping environment, including test plan development and execution.

• Approaches to system bring-up and debugging for complex heterogeneous computing platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a "portfolio" would likely encompass code repositories (if shareable), detailed project descriptions, architecture diagrams, performance benchmark results, and potentially presentations or white papers detailing complex system integrations. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical experience with high-performance systems and the ability to bring them to life quickly and validate their functionality.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• California Pay Range: MIN $143,050 - MIDPT $190,730 MAX $238,420 per year.

• Note: Pay ranges will vary by region for other locations.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• Life, Accident, and Disability insurance.

• Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health coverage.

• 401(k) Plan with potential company match.

• Flexible Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays.

• Paid Family Leave.

• Employee Discounts and Perks.

• Tuition Reimbursement program.

• Adoption Assistance.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

• Eligible for Keysight Results Bonus Program.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard).

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to California and represents a competitive offering for an expert-level engineering role. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large technology company, and includes elements that support both employee well-being and long-term financial security, such as the 401(k) and ESPP. The "Flexible Time Off" policy suggests a results-oriented work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Test & Measurement, Software, AI, Communications, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Aerospace & Defense.

Company Size: Approximately 15,000 employees globally.

Founded: Keysight Technologies was formed in 1999 as a spin-off from Hewlett-Packard.

Team Structure:

• The role is within Keysight’s Software and AI Labs, indicating a focus on advanced software development, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications.

• This team likely comprises highly specialized engineers, researchers, and architects focused on next-generation technological solutions.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on rapid prototyping and iteration, suggesting an agile or lean development approach to quickly validate new concepts and technologies.

• Strong focus on high-performance, real-time systems, implying rigorous testing, validation, and optimization processes.

• Integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, GPUs, and high-speed networking points to a forward-thinking and innovative operational methodology.

• Cross-functional collaboration to bridge the gap between hardware capabilities and software realization is a core methodological principle.

Company Website: https://www.keysight.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Keysight's history as a spin-off from HP suggests a strong legacy of engineering excellence and innovation. The "Software and AI Labs" context implies a research-and-development-heavy environment focused on pushing technological boundaries. The company's broad industry reach means opportunities for impact are significant.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an "Expert" level Individual Contributor (IC) role, signifying a senior position with significant technical depth and influence. The responsibilities involve leading complex technical initiatives and providing deep expertise in system integration and high-performance computing.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into Keysight's Software and AI Labs. While specific reporting lines aren't detailed, it's likely the engineer will report to a technical lead, engineering manager, or director within the lab, working closely with other senior engineers and architects.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Keysight's ability to deliver cutting-edge Test & Measurement solutions. By enabling disruptive capabilities through rapid prototyping and integration of advanced technologies (AI, GPUs, high-speed networking), the engineer contributes to Keysight's competitive edge in high-growth markets like communications, quantum, semiconductors, and defense. Successful projects can lead to new product features, improved system performance, and enhanced customer value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like high-speed networking, GPU computing, FPGA integration, and real-time systems architecture.

• Technical Leadership: Transition into roles such as Principal Engineer or Architect, leading larger and more complex system design and integration projects.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of Keysight's product portfolio and market applications by collaborating across different domains.

• Innovation & Research: Contribute to R&D efforts within the Software and AI Labs, potentially leading to patents or publications.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior engineers in system integration and high-performance software development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Expert" title and the nature of the responsibilities suggest a career path focused on deep technical mastery rather than people management, though leadership opportunities through technical guidance are present. The role is crucial for Keysight's innovation pipeline.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with options for Santa Rosa (preferred) or Santa Clara, CA. This indicates a collaborative, in-person work environment where hands-on hardware and system interaction is key.

Office Location(s):

• Santa Rosa, CA: 1400 Fountaingrove Pkwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1738.

• Santa Clara, CA: An alternative location mentioned.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is likely a mix of office space for software development and collaboration, and lab environments for hardware integration, testing, and debugging of complex systems.

• Access to specialized hardware, high-speed networking equipment, GPUs, and FPGA development platforms is expected.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with hardware engineers, firmware developers, and other software specialists to facilitate seamless integration.

• A culture that supports rapid iteration and problem-solving in a technically challenging setting.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for flexible time off, suggesting a focus on results and productivity rather than strict hours, but the role's on-site nature is emphasized.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for Santa Rosa and the mention of Santa Clara point to Keysight's significant presence in Northern California's tech ecosystem. The on-site requirement is crucial for a role involving hands-on hardware integration and complex system bring-up.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interviews (Multiple Rounds):

  • In-depth discussions on C++, Linux kernel, embedded systems, and firmware development.
  • System design challenges focusing on high-speed data paths, heterogeneous integration, and performance optimization.
  • Debugging scenarios requiring analysis of hardware-software interactions and performance bottlenecks.
  • Specific questions about experience with high-speed networking (Ethernet, DPDK, RDMA), PCIe, GPUs, and FPGAs.

• Portfolio Review/Demonstration: Presentation of past projects, case studies, or code examples that demonstrate expertise in rapid prototyping, system integration, and validation of complex systems. This is a critical component for this role.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interviews: Meeting with potential peers and cross-functional collaborators to assess teamwork and communication skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Final discussion on role fit, career aspirations, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project presented, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the technologies used, and the measurable impact (e.g., performance improvements, latency reduction, successful integration metric).

• Showcase Integration: Highlight projects where you successfully integrated diverse hardware and software components. Detail the challenges and how you overcame them.

• Demonstrate Debugging Prowess: Be prepared to walk through complex bugs you've encountered and your systematic approach to identifying and resolving them, especially across hardware/software boundaries.

• Focus on High-Speed Data: Emphasize your experience with high-speed interfaces, data streaming, and real-time processing. Use specific examples of protocols and technologies you've worked with.

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by technology area or project type, and be ready to adapt your presentation based on interviewer interest.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design: Practice designing scalable, high-performance systems that handle high-throughput data streams. Consider trade-offs between different hardware components (CPU, GPU, FPGA) and interconnects.

• Performance Analysis: Be ready to discuss how you would analyze and optimize the performance of a system involving complex data pipelines, including identifying bottlenecks in software, firmware, or hardware.

• Debugging Scenarios: Prepare to tackle hypothetical debugging problems involving intermittent failures, performance degradation, or integration issues in a heterogeneous environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Expert" title and the technical depth required, expect rigorous technical interviews. The portfolio review is likely a significant part of the evaluation, so candidates should prepare detailed examples of their work, focusing on tangible results and technical problem-solving.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Programming Languages: Modern C++, potentially Python for scripting/automation.

• Operating System: Linux (including kernel development, drivers, system utilities).

• Development Environments: Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code, CLion, or similar; build systems (e.g., CMake, Make).

• Version Control: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).

• Debugging Tools: GDB, Valgrind, kernel debugging tools, hardware debuggers (e.g., JTAG), logic analyzers, oscilloscopes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Profiling Tools: Tools for CPU, memory, and I/O profiling (e.g., perf, VTune, custom instrumentation).

• Network Analysis Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump for capturing and analyzing network traffic.

• Benchmarking Frameworks: Tools and methodologies for measuring system throughput and latency.

CRM & Automation:

• CI/CD Tools: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) for automated builds and testing, especially in rapid prototyping contexts.

• Containerization (Potential): Docker or similar for creating reproducible build and test environments.

• FPGA/GPU Development Tools: Vendor-specific toolchains for FPGAs (e.g., Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus) and GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit).

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack reflects a focus on high-performance systems development. Proficiency in C++ and Linux is foundational. Expertise in specific high-speed networking protocols (DPDK, RDMA), interconnects (PCIe), and accelerators (GPU, FPGA) is critical. Familiarity with debugging complex, multi-layered systems is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Excellence: A drive to push technological boundaries and deliver industry-leading solutions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical mastery.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams (hardware, firmware, software) to achieve complex system integration goals.

• Problem Solving & Resilience: A proactive approach to tackling challenging technical problems, with a persistent and methodical strategy for debugging and resolution.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for the successful integration and validation of critical system components and prototypes.

• Results-Oriented: A focus on delivering functional, high-performance prototypes and solutions within demanding timelines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with hardware engineers, firmware developers, and other software specialists to ensure seamless system operation.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights and best practices, especially regarding complex integration challenges and performance optimization techniques.

• Iterative Development: Embracing a rapid prototyping cycle that involves frequent feedback loops and adjustments based on integration and validation results.

• Technical Debate: Open discussion and constructive debate on architectural decisions and technical approaches to ensure the most robust and efficient solutions are implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: Keysight's culture, as indicated by its awards and overall description, values innovation, belonging, and tackling challenging problems. For this role, expect a high-performance, technically driven environment where collaboration is essential for success in integrating cutting-edge technologies.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• System Complexity: Integrating diverse hardware (CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, SmartNICs) and software layers under demanding performance constraints (high-speed, low-latency) presents significant integration and debugging challenges.

• Rapid Prototyping Pace: The need to quickly iterate from concept to functional demonstration requires efficient development, testing, and troubleshooting processes.

• Hardware-Software Boundary Issues: Diagnosing and resolving issues that span hardware, firmware, and software can be time-consuming and requires deep cross-domain understanding.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: The role operates at the forefront of technology, requiring continuous learning to stay abreast of advancements in high-speed networking, compute acceleration, and system architectures.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Technical Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in high-performance computing, real-time systems, and advanced hardware-software integration.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technologies: Work with state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies relevant to 5G, quantum computing, AI, and defense applications.

• Mentorship from Experts: Learn from and collaborate with highly experienced engineers and architects within Keysight's Software and AI Labs.

• Career Path Development: Opportunities to grow into senior technical leadership roles (e.g., Principal Engineer, Architect) or specialized domains within Keysight.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Potential for attending relevant industry events and pursuing further specialized training to enhance skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are significant, requiring a high degree of technical aptitude and problem-solving skills. However, these challenges also translate into substantial growth opportunities for individuals passionate about cutting-edge systems engineering.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the integration of a complex multi-component system involving both hardware and software. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure seamless operation?"

• "Walk us through your process for debugging a performance bottleneck in a high-speed data streaming pipeline. What tools and techniques would you use?"

• "How would you approach designing a system to achieve line-rate performance for 200GbE data ingress and processing using a combination of CPU, GPU, and a SmartNIC?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Keysight and specifically our Software and AI Labs?"

• "How do you stay current with rapid advancements in high-performance computing and system integration technologies?"

• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate closely with hardware engineers to resolve a critical system integration issue."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the technical challenges, the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes (performance gains, successful integration metrics, etc.).

• Focus on Integration: Emphasize projects that showcase your ability to integrate diverse hardware and software components, detailing the specific interfaces and protocols used.

• Demonstrate Debugging Expertise: Be ready to present a complex debugging scenario, detailing your methodical approach to root cause analysis across hardware-software boundaries.

• Highlight High-Performance Systems: Showcase your experience with high-speed networking (100G+ Ethernet), PCIe, GPUs, FPGAs, and real-time data processing.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate that interviewers will ask detailed technical questions about your portfolio projects, so be ready to discuss implementation specifics, design decisions, and trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions that probe your deep technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and experience with high-performance, complex systems. Your portfolio should serve as concrete evidence of your capabilities in these areas.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Expert Software Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the Keysight Technologies careers portal via the provided job URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with C++, Linux kernel development, high-speed networking (100GbE+), DPDK, RDMA/RoCE, PCIe, GPUs, and FPGAs. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Assemble examples of relevant projects, code snippets (if permissible), architecture diagrams, performance benchmarks, and detailed case studies that demonstrate your expertise in rapid system prototyping, integration, and validation of high-performance, heterogeneous systems.

• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common technical and behavioral questions, focusing on providing specific examples that showcase your problem-solving skills, technical depth, and collaboration abilities, especially relating to hardware-software integration.

• Research Keysight: Familiarize yourself with Keysight's mission, values, recent innovations, and the specific industries they serve (communications, quantum, semiconductor, defense) to articulate your interest and alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.