Principal Software Engineer (AP)

About Us Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats. Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.
Role Summary As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key leadership role in the design, development, and delivery of embedded software solutions for cutting-edge wireless access points. You will lead and mentor a team of firmware developers while driving the technical strategy and ensuring the successful integration of firmware with hardware components. This position requires a deep understanding of wireless technologies, advanced problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to innovation and quality. These wireless access points are managed from cloud as well, and this role gives immense opportunity to work on cloud technologies as well.

What you will do

• Technical Leadership: Lead the architecture, design, and development of firmware for wireless access points, setting technical direction and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and product management, to define product requirements and develop long-term technology strategies.
• Advanced Problem Solving: Lead the resolution of complex technical challenges, including low-level debugging, performance optimization, and integration with advanced hardware components.
• Protocol & Security Leadership: Drive the implementation and optimization of wireless networking protocols (e.g., 802.11 standards) and ensure robust security features, including encryption, authentication, and secure boot processes.
• Innovation & Optimization: Identify and implement opportunities for innovation in firmware design, focusing on performance improvements, power efficiency, and scalability of wireless access point solutions.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee the development and execution of rigorous testing and validation processes to ensure the highest levels of firmware quality and reliability.
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as the primary technical liaison between the firmware team and other stakeholders, effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives for continuous improvement of development processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance productivity and product quality.

What you will bring

• 12 – 16 years of total working experience, with 2+years of lead / principal engineering experience.
• Extensive experience in embedded C/C++/Go programming and firmware development for wireless networking devices.
• 2+ years of work experience in the relevant domain and discipline.
• Proven track record in leading complex firmware projects from concept to production.
• Deep understanding of wireless networking protocols, particularly 802.11 standards.
• Expertise in real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded Linux environments.
• Strong knowledge of hardware-software co-design, low-level debugging, and performance optimization.
• Experience with security features and best practices in embedded systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Should have experience with the integration of REST APIs.
• Good to have knowledge of authentication and authorization frameworks.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrate passion, desire, and dedication to ongoing learning.
• Proactive, flexible attitude towards work with a willingness to constantly review and improve skills and processes.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Software, Computer Science, or related discipline or equivalent experience.

Desirable working experience in combination to above primary requirement

• Experience on managed switch, routers and Firewall technology, C, C++, Linux
• Master of Science in Computer software, Computer Science or related discipline
• Understanding of Amazon AWS cloud infrastructure & microservices development will be added advantage

#LI-Remote #B2
Ready to Join Us? At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply. What's Great About Sophos? · Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship. · Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit · Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy · Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities · Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint · Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp · Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge · Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing Our Commitment To You We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know. Data Protection If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos