Software Engineer Compiler I (Full Time) – United States

Cisco•Austin, TX

2d•$94,800 - $157,400

About The Position

Cisco’s Core Platform Software and Toolchains organization develops, optimizes, and maintains compiler, debugger, and code-analysis toolchains used by Cisco IOS-XE, Silicon One, and cloud-scale routing platforms. The team works across processor architectures, LLVM/GCC optimizations, custom intermediate-representation transformations, and runtime debugging infrastructure, and contributes to open-source toolchain projects. The role focuses on developing and improving compilation, code-analysis, and debugging tools for Cisco networking platforms. Work includes implementing compiler transformations and runtime diagnostic tools in modern C/C++, optimizing LLVM/GCC backends and intermediate representations for ARM64 and x86, enhancing GDB/LLDB debugging capabilities, building automated validation pipelines with Python and CI/CD frameworks, advancing DWARF debugging formats, and integrating AI-assisted developer tools into engineering workflows. The posting identifies the opportunity as Software Engineer Compiler I, while the role description refers to a Compiler Software Engineer II.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways, with qualifying education or experience in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field: a Bachelor's degree with 0 years of work experience; an educational or workforce development program (such as an Associate's degree, apprenticeship, boot camp, or certification) with 1 year of work experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent with 2 years of work experience. The education must have been completed within the past 3 years or be expected within the next 12 months.
Demonstrate programming proficiency in C or C++, including foundational knowledge of memory management, pointer arithmetic, and data structures.
Have a foundational understanding of computer architecture (ARM or x86), operating-system fundamentals such as processes and memory management, and the ability to read assembly language.
Have coursework, academic research, or hands-on project experience in compiler construction, code generation, LLVM infrastructure, or debugger fundamentals such as GDB, LLDB, or DWARF.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with LLVM, Clang, GCC, or GDB open-source toolchains, including writing custom LLVM passes or toolchain extensions.
Familiarity with DWARF specifications, ELF object-file structures, symbol tables, and binary-analysis utilities such as GNU Binutils.
Practical experience developing test-automation scripts using Python and Linux shell utilities in a CI/CD environment.
Experience configuring or cross-compiling toolchains for Embedded Linux or networking operating systems such as routers and switches.
Interest or experience integrating AI-assisted developer tools or modern IDE plugins, including VSCode, Language Server Protocol, or DAP.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize compilation, code-analysis, and debugging toolchains for Cisco core networking platforms.
Implement compiler transformations and runtime diagnostic tools in modern C/C++.
Optimize LLVM/GCC backends and intermediate representations for ARM64 and x86 architectures.
Enhance GDB/LLDB debugging capabilities.
Build automated validation pipelines using Python and CI/CD frameworks.
Advance DWARF debug format standards.
Integrate AI-assisted developer productivity tools into engineering workflows.
Deliver code-generation improvements and contribute enhancements to open-source systems.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Basic life insurance.
Potential eligibility for Cisco restricted stock unit grants, subject to continued employment and vesting periods.
10 paid holidays per full calendar year and one floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
A paid day off for the employee’s birthday, a paid year-end holiday shutdown, and four paid personal wellness days.
For non-exempt employees, 16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for full-time employees, accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
For eligible exempt employees, flexible vacation time off with no defined limit, subject to availability and business limitations.
80 hours of sick time provided on hire and each January 1, with up to 80 unused hours carried forward.
Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues.
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year.
Eligibility for annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies.