Principal Verification Engineer

We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced, and versatile Staff Verification Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will design, develop, and own the verification frameworks, test environments, and automation infrastructure for ASIC (Applied Specific Integrated Circuit) drivers and software features across our current and next-generation products. You will drive verification strategy and standards across the product line, serve as the go-to technical authority for the most complex verification challenges, and mentor and grow the team. You will be working alongside a closely-knit cross-functional team of experienced software, hardware, and ASIC engineers. Job Responsibilities Design, develop, and maintain robust, scalable verification frameworks and automation tools in Ruby and Python for ASIC drivers. Build and maintain comprehensive test environments, test suites, and verification infrastructure to validate ASIC driver and software features functionality, performance, and reliability. Drive verification strategy and planning, including test plan development, coverage analysis, and coverage closure for ASIC drivers and software features. Replicate and drive complex customer-reported and internally-discovered issues to resolution, performing deep root cause analysis across the software, driver, and hardware layers. Conduct thorough code reviews of verification code, provide constructive feedback, and champion engineering best practices across the team. Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers through pair programming, design reviews, and technical guidance, fostering their growth into senior technical contributors. Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and ASIC engineers to ensure verification gaps are identified, defects are properly reproduced, and fixes are validated. Build and maintain tools to generate network traffic, simulate test scenarios, and measure performance and reliability. Serve as the go-to technical authority for ASIC driver verification, resolving the most complex and ambiguous issues that cross software, driver, and hardware boundaries. Influence hardware and software teams on verification sign-off criteria, testability improvements, and debug capabilities. Lead hiring and growth of the team, raising the technical bar across the team through mentorship, code reviews, and technical guidance. Champion innovation in verification methodology, tooling, and process improvements organization-wide. Contribute to the overall technical direction of the verification platform, including tooling strategy, technology selection, and long-term roadmap. Basic qualifications: Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience. 8 to 12 years of professional software development or verification engineering experience. Strong proficiency in Ruby and Python, with a proven track record of building and maintaining automation frameworks and tooling. Solid understanding of TCP/IP, routing, switching, and firewalls. Deep Linux command line expertise, with experience building test environments, developing on Linux, and troubleshooting complex system-level issues. Strong programming fundamentals and software engineering discipline, including data structures, algorithms, design patterns, and clean code practices. Demonstrated experience troubleshooting software, drivers, and networks logically and analytically. Fundamental knowledge of Linux operating system internals, kernel, and device drivers. Familiarity with advanced networking protocols, security concepts, and DevOps/tooling practices. Proven ability to design and implement scalable verification architectures and make sound technology trade-offs in ambiguous, high-stakes situations. Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and conducting effective code reviews. Strong communication skills, and ability to work in a collaborative cross-functional environment. Ability to take ownership of complex projects, work with minimal supervision, and research and master new technologies quickly. Preferred qualifications: Experience developing and owning verification frameworks and test automation platforms at scale. Experience building and maintaining ASIC driver software or kernel-space code in C. Experience in using Viavi (Spirent TestCenter, Avalanche) or Keysight (Ixia, Breaking Point) traffic generators. Experience contributing to open-source networking or Linux kernel projects. Track record of driving technical decisions, setting verification standards, and influencing the direction of a team or the broader organization. In-depth knowledge of at least 2 of the following areas, with strong proficiency in each: Protocols & Networking: BGP, OSPF, LACP, STP/RSTP/MSTP, ARP, DNS, IPsec, IPv6, TLS, multicast, VXLAN, GRE, SD-WAN, QoS (Quality of Service) Security: Cryptography fundamentals, mTLS, PKI/certificate management, network security protocols DevOps: Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipeline design, infrastructure as code, test automation at scale Performance & Tools: network packet analyzers (e.g., Wireshark), benchmark testing, building tools to generate traffic Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $179,000-$219,000. Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Wage ranges are based on various factors, including the labour market, job type, and job level. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program. Bonus eligibility is reviewed at the time of hire and annually at the Company’s discretion. Why Join Us: We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being. Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 890,000+ customers around the globe.