Software Engineering Technical Leader

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Software Engineer to join our team working on Cisco 8000 Series Routers, built on Cisco’s SiliconOne architecture and designed for hyperscale networks, global service providers, and large enterprises. 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!

Your impact

• Design, implement, and test C, C++, or 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++, or 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.
• Proactively identify and participate in the resolution of sophisticated problems that impact the direction of the business.
• Develop and deliver innovative approaches that benefit customers and/or clients.
• Lead major business projects which impact a region or entire function.
• Contribute to the development of annual organizational objectives/priorities.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with key stakeholders to ensure products and services reflect the needs and direction of the business.
• Translate and influence the regional or functional strategic vision into a technical vision with clear engineering priorities, ensuring understanding and alignment across teams.
• Lead, mentor, and influence senior engineers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 12 years of related experience, or Master’s degree plus 8 years of related experience.
• Experience in software design and development using C, C++, or P4, including contributions to production‑quality systems.
• Experience in troubleshooting, debugging, and resolving sophisticated 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.
• Experience in Python with the ability to develop scalable, maintainable, and production‑ready software solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with network‑processor software programming.

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 in U.S. and/or Canada locations is $192,400.00 to $275,800.00. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training.

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

• New York City Metro Area: $214,100.00 – $356,300.00
• Non‑Metro New York State & Washington State: $192,400.00 – $317,200.00

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long‑term disability coverage and basic life insurance.
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
• 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, 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.
  • 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.