Distinguished Engineer - Wireless Architecture (10207)
Extreme Networks
IT
California, USA
USD 260k-275k / year + Equity
Over 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions. They rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver unprecedented progress.
Become part of something big with Extreme! As a global networking leader, learn why there is no better time to join the Extreme team.
Position details
Title of position: Distinguished Engineer
Position type: Full time
Location: San Jose, California
Position reports to: VP of Engineering
Application deadline: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and this posting will remain open until filled.
Work authorization: Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the country where the role will be performed.
Scope:
Distinguished Engineer – Wireless Architecture
Are you a recognized leader in wireless networking looking for an opportunity to shape both industry standards and a global wireless product portfolio?
Extreme Networks is seeking a Distinguished Engineer – Wireless Architecture to define and lead the next generation of enterprise wireless systems and drive the technical roadmap for Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, and AI-driven wireless networking. Our wireless platforms power networks across enterprises, campuses, universities, large public venues, and cities worldwide.
Role Overview
The Distinguished Engineer will shape the long-term wireless architecture of Extreme Networks and ensure the company remains at the forefront of enterprise wireless innovation as networks evolve toward AI-driven automation, ultra-high-density deployments, and next-generation Wi-Fi platforms.
This role will work closely with executive leadership, product management, and engineering teams to define the multi-year wireless technology strategy, guide architectural decisions across multiple product lines, and drive technical leadership in Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, Wireless AI, and emerging wireless technologies.
This role requires deep expertise in wireless systems, RF performance, large-scale and high-density wireless deployments (campuses, large public venues, and enterprise environments), AI-driven RF and power optimizations, network monitoring and automated troubleshooting.
The ideal candidate is a recognized industry expert who has influenced wireless standards, large-scale wireless deployments, or next-generation wireless platform architectures.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive innovation, influence product strategy, and lead the architecture and design across our wireless portfolio spanning enterprise and hybrid cloud-managed deployments.
- Lead the architecture and design of high-performance wireless systems, including access points, controllers, edge platforms, and cloud-managed wireless infrastructure.
- Establish architecture principles and technical standards that guide wireless platform development across hardware, firmware, RF, and cloud software teams.
- Lead the integration of AI/ML into the wireless edge, enabling autonomous RF optimization, predictive network analytics, and self-healing wireless environments.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to senior engineers and cross-functional teams.
- Influence the evolution of next-generation wireless standards through participation in industry bodies such as IEEE 802.11, Wi-Fi Alliance, and WBA.
- Partner with product and executive leadership to define multi-year technology roadmaps for wireless platforms.
- Collaborate with product management to translate customer and market requirements into technical architecture.
- Drive innovation in RF optimization, spectrum management, AI-driven wireless network optimization, large-scale wireless automation, and wireless security.
- Work closely with strategic customers and partners to solve their wireless challenges and help them with technology migration or large-scale deployments.
- Lead technical investigations and architectural solutions for performance, scalability, and reliability in large-scale wireless deployments.
- Represent the company through technical publications, patents, standards contributions, and conference presentations.
Required Qualifications
- 15+ years of experience in wireless networking or telecommunications engineering.
- Deep expertise in Wi-Fi technologies (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) and wireless protocols.
- Strong understanding of RF engineering, antenna design, and wireless performance optimization.
- Experience using modern AI-assisted engineering tools to accelerate software development, code analysis, debugging, and documentation.
- Strong background in network protocols (TCP/IP, routing, switching, QoS).
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional architecture initiatives.
- Experience influencing technical strategy at organization level.
- Expert in C/C++/Python and real-time software design
- Working knowledge of containerization and cloud-native technologies
- Experience with Linux/FreeBSD kernel, routing stacks and development tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with enterprise wireless architecture, private wireless networks, or carrier-grade wireless infrastructure.
- Experience with AWS and Azure Networking
- Experience with x86/ARM hardware acceleration for Networking
- Knowledge of cloud-managed networking platforms, cloud technologies,
- Contributions to industry standards or patents in wireless technologies.
Education and Leadership Expectations
- BS/MS/PhD in EE, CS, or a related field.
- Recognized technical authority in wireless technologies with a track record of shipping industry-leading products.
- Strong communication skills to engage with executives, customers, and partners.
- Salary based on qualifications, experience and region up to USD 275000 plus benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
- Extreme Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans, including disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active-duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans.
- Extreme Networks also strives to prevent other, subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (for example, stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our organization. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Extreme Networks. We encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.
Fair chance and background checks
- Extreme Networks will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, Illinois Human Rights Act, Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. An applicant's conviction history will not be considered until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Following any individualized assessment, applicants will be provided with the opportunity to respond before any adverse action is taken.
- Extreme Networks does not seek salary history information from applicants and will not rely on salary history in determining whether to offer employment or in setting compensation.
260000 - 275000 USD a year
This role offers a market‑competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range of 260,000 to 275,000 USD. Actual compensation will depend on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and work location. The posted range reflects the amount Extreme Networks reasonably and in good faith expects to pay upon hire. This range is determined using objective, gender‑neutral criteria based on skills, experience, responsibility, and working conditions. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a performance‑based bonus and the full benefits package described below.
Benefits and total rewards:
Extreme Networks offers a comprehensive benefits package. Specific benefits vary by country and may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities where role permits
- Paid time off, including open time off in eligible markets and statutory leave in all markets
- Paid holidays in accordance with local practice
- Retirement savings programs, including 401K matching in the United States
- Employee Stock Purchase Program, where eligible
- Adoption assistance and fertility treatment support, where eligible
- Flexible spending accounts, where eligible
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement, where eligible
- Life and disability insurance
Benefits eligibility is based on country of employment, role, and employment status. Complete benefits details will be provided during the interview process and in the formal offer of employment.