Software Engineering Technical Leader - Networking

The application window is expected to close on 08/15/2025.

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This role is a hybrid position based in San Jose, CA.

Meet the Team

Our outstanding team works in a startup atmosphere within a stable and leading corporate environment, and our design center hosts all silicon Hardware and Software development fields under one roof. Our devices are crafted for universal adaptability, delivering high speed without sacrificing programmability, buffering, power efficiency, scale, or feature flexibility. We enable the use of these innovative products in the fast-paced world of Open Standards, Open Networking, and massively Scalable Cloud Data Centers.

If you want to work with amazing people and innovative customers developing the next generation of world-class products, join us! Our team develops the full software stack enabling the Silicon One network processors. We work with the Open Standards community and our incredible customers to deliver best in class routing and switching platforms. Work also with architecture and design teams to define the next generation of ASIC products being developed.

Your Impact

In this role, you will lead the design and development of software features for both the control plane and data plane on Cisco's Silicon One NPU. You'll play a critical role in creating software that powers highly scalable, low-power, low-latency, and dense systems, addressing the ever-growing demands of AI/ML workloads, internet users, and modern applications.

You will use modern C++, the Silicon One network processing language, and Python to develop software for the NPU. As the lead engineer, you'll participate in customer discussions to define requirements, scope features, and drive the development process from start to finish. You'll take full ownership of delivering high-quality software on schedule, while leading a team of engineers and providing guidance on design, implementation, and reviews. Additionally, you'll gain deep expertise in the Silicon One hardware architecture and programming models, collaborating with architecture and hardware teams to shape the next generation of ASIC products.

You are an accomplished technical leader with extensive experience in software development for the networking domain. Your mastery spans multiple areas in networking, where you've served as the lead designer for complex systems. Your expertise in control and routing planes, as well as your ability to build large-scale, high-density, and highly redundant systems, is widely recognized.

You are deeply committed to developing clean, user-friendly APIs and well-defined software layers. As a mentor to your team, you bring optimism and a positive outlook to your work. Driven by self-motivation, you exhibit a strong sense of ownership and a passion for delivering exceptional results.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science EE/CS combined with 8+ years of related experience or Master of Science EE/CS combined with 6+ years of related experience.
• Prior expertise in software development and integration while using one or more of the following programming languages: C++, Python.
• Prior expertise with networking protocols and technologies (e.g., L2/L3, MPLS, BGP, OSPF).
• Prior expertise in analytical reasoning and debugging, with experience using tools such as GDB, PDB, etc.
• Prior working experience with algorithms and data structures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud, data center, or edge networking products.
• Experience with SAI, Sonic or other Network OS.
• Experience with writing and testing software for high performing and scalable networking products.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.