Software Engineer II (Full Time) - United States

About the Team

Cisco Networking (CPO) builds the foundation of Cisco’s core routing, switching, and security platforms that power enterprise and cloud infrastructure worldwide. You will be an essential contributor to the development of next-generation innovations across network operating systems, low-level platform architectures, and intelligent infrastructure. The team combines deep hardware-software integration with modern software engineering practices to deliver ultra-reliable, high-performance connectivity. Work alongside industry-leading engineers on cutting-edge platforms like the Nexus 9000, gain hands-on experience with embedded systems, and help build technologies that transform how the world connects.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of defining, designing, implementing, and debugging high-performance platform software and device drivers for Cisco's Nexus 9000 switches and routers.
• Author clear design specifications and drive feature development across network security, Access Control Lists (ACLs), Quality of Service (QoS), and Control Plane Policing (CoPP).
• Architect and execute robust system-level test automation suites using Python and modern CI/CD pipelines to validate complex hardware-software interactions and accelerate release velocity.
• Apply advanced systems programming knowledge to diagnose intricate platform-level issues, optimize memory and CPU performance, and support production triage.
• Independently deliver resilient, scalable networking software that directly reinforces Cisco's leadership in enterprise and cloud communications infrastructure.

Requirements

Meet one of the following (completed within the past 3 years or expected to be completed within the next 12 months):

• A Master's degree with 0 years of work experience; OR
• A Bachelor's degree with 2 years of work experience; OR
• An educational or workforce development program (e.g., Associate’s, Apprenticeship, Boot camp, or Certification) with 3 years of work experience; OR
• A High school diploma (or equivalent) with 4 years of work experience.

Qualifying education and work experience should be in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• Hands-on programming proficiency in C or C++ with experience developing software in embedded Linux environments, including operating system fundamentals, memory management, and multithreading.
• Demonstrated knowledge of network principles, routing and switching protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF), and layered communication architectures (TCP/IP, OSI model).
• Experience building automation tooling or test frameworks in Python or Bash, integrated with CI/CD automation pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions).

Preferred Qualifications

• Conceptual understanding or practical experience exploring AI/ML technologies, intelligent network telemetry, or AI-assisted development tools.
• Hands-on experience developing low-level device drivers, kernel modules, or hardware-software integration on enterprise switches and routers.
• Practical experience with network security features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), Quality of Service (QoS), or Control Plane Policing (CoPP).
• Familiarity with low-level debugging and profiling tools (e.g., GDB, Valgrind, perf) in complex distributed or platform-level environments.

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.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $125,700.00 to $176,600.00 for new hires 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.

Full salary ranges for specific locations:

• New York City Metro Area: $125,700.00 - $203,100.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $111,700.00 - $180,800.00

For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

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.
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment for defined periods.
• Paid time away:
  • 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.
  • 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
  • Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees.
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, with no defined limit on vacation time (subject to availability and business limitations).
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, with up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward.
  • 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.
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies.
• For sales roles, performance-based incentive pay on top of base salary, split between quota and non-quota components.