Principal Software Engineer

The application window is expected to close on: 01/30/2026

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

Meet the Team

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) at Cisco is seeking skilled software engineers to join our Diagnostic/BSP team, responsible for ensuring the reliability and performance of our world-class hardware. Our team develops software for Cisco’s network switches and routers, which feature advanced application awareness to build a flexible and agile network infrastructure. These capabilities support multi-layered responses to the diverse workload demands of AI and ML. This is a unique opportunity to grow your technical skill set and gain visibility and recognition across cross-functional teams within Cisco. We value motivated individuals who enjoy solving complex challenges and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment.

Your Impact

• Architect and develop BIOS, BSP, and diagnostics for Cisco's Core and Edge routing products.
• Design, develop, and test device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.
• Develop and execute software test plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug prototypes and validate software.
• Innovate and drive unique software, hardware, and technology solutions with a global impact on Cisco's product portfolio.
• Utilize deep technical expertise for complex consultations and act as an expert both internally and externally.
• Shape technology and industry trends to enable a competitive advantage and ensure long-term business impact.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 15+ years experience, or Master’s degree with 12+ years experience.
• Proficient in C, C++, and Python programming for embedded systems.
• Demonstrated experience in hardware and device driver development, including Linux hardware bring-up, multi-threading, event handling, and state machine implementation.
• Experience with Sonic, ONIE, BMC, IPMI, and/or Redfish technologies.
• Skilled in developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems using protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, GPIO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in kernel debugging tools such as GDB and KGDB.
• Experience leading board bring-up, validation, and debugging of embedded systems.
• Ability to develop software from concept through delivery for large-scale, high-bandwidth systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for software defects from kernel modules to applications.
• Experience in collaborative system design, specification writing, and requirements review.
• Commitment to quality, mentoring, and continuous learning in networking, optics, and embedded systems.
• AI/ML experience and knowledge of Layer 2/3 network protocols, network processors, optical networking, secure-boot, open-source tools, CMIS, and SFF standards (SFP, QSFP).

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.

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.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $231,400.00 to $331,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
• Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees On Sales Plans Earn Performance-based Incentive Pay On Top Of Their Base Salary, Which Is Split Between Quota And Non-quota Components, Subject To The Applicable Cisco Plan. For Quota-based Incentive Pay, Cisco Typically Pays As Follows

• .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
• 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
• 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
• Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area

$231,400.00 - $381,600.00

Non-Metro New York State & Washington State

$222,900.00 - $343,600.00

• For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
• Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.