Software Engineering Technical Leader

Cisco • Milpitas, CA

2d

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Software Engineering Technical Leader to join our Service Provider High End Router (Cisco 8000) team within the R&D department, contributing to the evolution of next-generation networking products! In this role, you’ll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One™ architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors). This is a phenomenal opportunity to work with pioneering technology that’s shaping the future of networking!

You’ll be part of a diverse team dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions on Cisco 8000, featuring the latest Silicon One ASICs. You will play a key role in developing the SDK and/or control plane for networking protocols, collaborating with talented colleagues to drive industry-leading advancements. Join us and be a part of something outstanding!

As a Software Engineering Technical Leader, you will design and develop a broad set of advanced networking features. With the foundational capabilities of our next‑generation platforms already established, this role offers a true ground‑floor opportunity to drive the next phase of product growth. You will help shape our convergence strategy in the Service Provider space and deliver high‑impact features powering Web, Cloud, Data Center, and Mobile networking solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience or master's degree with 8+ years, or PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience in a STEM discipline.
• Experience in software design and development using C, C++, and Python, including contributions to production‑quality systems.
• Experience in troubleshooting, debugging, and resolving complex software issues across large, distributed codebases, with practical experience in using tools such as GDB, PDB, etc.
• Experience with Layer 2 (L2) and Layer 3 (L3) networking technologies, protocols, and data‑plane behaviors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with network‑processor software programming is a strong plus.
• Hands‑on experience with P4 and low‑level microcode development.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test C, C++, and P4 programs to define packet‑processing behaviors on high‑performance network devices.
• Build, optimize, and enhance the backend of the P4 compiler to fully leverage the capabilities of advanced networking hardware.
• Solve complex resource‑management challenges and optimize resource allocation across programmable network‑processing pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with ASIC engineers to ensure seamless integration of P4 programs with next‑generation IC designs, including providing compiler support throughout hardware development cycles.
• Participate in the design and implementation of new C, C++, and P4 language features to support the evolving needs of network application developers.
• Develop Python‑based test frameworks and author Python test cases to validate SDK functionality and ensure correctness, performance, and reliability of P4‑based data‑plane programming.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level