# John Paul Varkey

> Engineering Leader | Network Software Development | Forwarding | AWS Lambda | DPDK

Location: San Jose, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/johnpaulvarkey

A dedicated Network Data path engineer with packet forwarding expertise in Edge/Core routing and network security.  I am passionate about taking roles where I can leverage my expertise in server backend using AWS lambda, network protocols, packet processing, and performance optimization to contribute to cutting-edge networking solutions.
A software professional who believes in "You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader" (Courtesy- Mark Sanborn). I am one with "work one’s fingers to the bone" attitude, who excels in delivering software with utmost quality and possesses good leadership skills in guiding and mentoring a team. An expert collaborator and communicator who can engage with multiple cross functional teams during software development with utmost focus on the quintessence of the project.

## Work Experience
### Principal Software Development Engineer @ Fortinet
Jan 2022 – Present | Sunnyvale, California, United States
•	Currently working on python AWS lambda based server backend for Fortiscanner, an agent based network vulnerability scanner.
•	Worked on data path in a DPDK and Micro services based Micro segmentation product. 
•	Worked involved integrating Fortigate firewall VM securely with Segment interface VM using Geneve, determining Fortigate scale out/scale-in depending on data center traffic load and monitoring Fortigate health in data path using keepalives.
•	Worked on FortiTester, a DPDK based internal network tester especially on performance improvement for SMTP and UDPpps.

### Technical Lead @ Cisco
Jan 2015 – Jan 2022 | Milpitas, California, United States
•	Worked on XR forwarding packet processing software in Edge/Core router 8000 based on Silicon One chipset and NCS500 based on Broadcom Jericho/Jericho2 chipsets.
•	Implemented features like L3VPN, 6VPE/6PE, BGP-LU, RSVP-TE, TI-LFA, SR, SR-TE, PWE headend in layer3 FIB.
•	Provided infrastructure to port features from Jericho to Jericho2 chipset seamlessly and also improving performance.

### Senior Software Engineer @ Ericsson
Jan 2011 – Jan 2015 | San Jose
Worked on SSR Edge Router across L2/L3 protocols on NP4 chipsets and implemented features like BFD, MC-LAG, 1588, Bridging.

### Intern - Forwarding Protocols @ Ericsson
Jan 2010 – Jan 2011
Analyzed memory footprint of dual-stack subscribers and routes on Smart Edge line cards, enhanced debugging and logging.

### Teaching Assistant @ Rutgers University
Jan 2008 – Jan 2010
Worked as Teaching assistant for Undergrads in Electrical and Computer Engineering for courses- Computer Architecture, Programming Methodology and Digital Signal Processing.

### Hardware & Systems Engineer @ Tata Elxsi Ltd
Jan 2005 – Jan 2007
Involved in Hardware / Software Co-design and VLSI Design, from RTL coding to implementation.


## Education
### POST GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING: BUSINESS APPLICATIONS
The University of Texas at Austin

### POST GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CLOUD COMPUTING
The University of Texas at Austin

### Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering
Rutgers University

### Bachelors in Electronics and Communication
Cochin University of Science and Technology


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/johnpaulvarkey

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Source: https://flows.cv/johnpaulvarkey
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/johnpaulvarkey/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-12