Software Engineer

Cisco•Milpitas, CA

13h•$155,000 - $222,600

About The Position

The Software Engineer will contribute to Cisco IOS XR software for the Cisco 8000 Layer 3 Forwarding team. The team develops software that powers packet forwarding on Cisco Silicon One ASICs and builds scalable, high-performance routing platforms for service providers and hyperscale networks, including cloud infrastructure and AI/ML workloads. Its work connects routing decisions to hardware forwarding behavior, including programming routes and next hops and optimizing forwarding scale, performance, and reliability. The team collaborates with routing control plane teams and Cisco Silicon One ASIC and SDK engineering teams. The role contributes throughout the software development lifecycle, from design and implementation through validation and production troubleshooting. The engineer will design, develop, automate, and execute features across complex network architectures using C/C++, define and qualify end-to-end or solution architectures, debug complex network problems, and develop solutions. The role also involves applying algorithmic thinking and analytics to network automation and customer use cases, developing features or automated tests, investigating issues, and using test tools to maintain quality and meet benchmarks. The engineer will work with other engineers and use AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot and Cisco internal AI/ML solutions, to improve development efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of related experience, or master’s degree plus 3 years of related experience, or Ph.D. with no experience requirement.
Experience in all phases of the software development cycle, with some exposure to agile development methodologies.
Programming experience in C, C++, or Python.
Development experience with network routing protocols.
Experience using AI tools to improve engineering productivity, such as optimizing complex routing protocols and reducing latency.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Linux and modern development and debugging tools such as GDB, VTune, Valgrind, and Perf.
Deep understanding of L2/L3 through L7 technologies, including OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, BFD, and MPLS technologies.
Familiarity with virtual machines and virtualization technologies.
Automation experience with Python, Tcl, REST, and Jenkins.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development and enhancement of Cisco IOS XR software.
Help innovate and improve software solutions for AI/ML, hyperscalers, and service providers.
Take ownership of tasks and features and acquire new skills as needed.
Address innovative challenges and resolve complex technical problems.
Collaborate with fellow engineers to deliver new functionalities and enhancements to customers.
Use Microsoft Copilot and Cisco internal AI/ML solutions to improve development efficiency.
Develop software features or design fully automated tests.
Investigate and troubleshoot issues to deliver reliable solutions.
Use test tools to maintain quality and ensure software meets rigorous benchmarks.
Work on network technology areas such as Programmability and Routing Infrastructure.
Design, develop, automate, and execute hardware or software features across complex network architectures.
Define and qualify end-to-end or solution architectures.
Debug complex network problems and define solutions.
Apply algorithmic thinking and analytics to network automation and customer use cases.
Contribute across the development lifecycle, including design, implementation, validation, and production troubleshooting.
Improve customer experience by delivering robust, high-quality software and continuously improving Cisco IOS XR.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and vesting conditions
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
Floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
Four paid personal wellness days
Paid vacation time for non-exempt employees; exempt employees participate in a flexible vacation program with no defined limit, subject to availability and business limitations
80 hours of sick time off 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
Annual bonuses may be available for non-sales roles