Software Engineering Technical Leader- Networking

About the Team

As a core part of the Distributed Systems Engineering group, we design, build, and optimize the routing software that powers the world’s most critical data center, service provider, and enterprise networks. Our team delivers platform-independent routing software that runs across the Cisco 8000, ASR 9000, and 5500 series of routers, as well as virtual platforms. We architect and develop cutting-edge solutions for hyperscale/neo cloud customers and service providers, addressing emerging demands in critical technologies including segment routing, SRv6, EVPN, and VxLAN—key building blocks for modern AI infrastructure. We are a global, collaborative team with a presence in San Jose, India, Ottawa, and Europe, united by a passion for high-performance, scalable, and multithreaded systems.

Your Impact

• Architect and deliver innovative, scalable BGP/routing solutions for complex customer requirements and internal initiatives, tailored to meet the extreme demands of modern web-scale infrastructure.
• Lead discussions with customers, account teams, and product management to understand complex customer deployments and use cases, and define engineering requirements.
• Champion the integration of AI-driven coding tools to accelerate development cycles and enhance software quality.
• Collaborate across adjacent software teams to define robust programming interfaces.
• Review design and code, setting the standard for quality excellence.
• Contribute to troubleshooting and bug fixes across the stack.
• Contribute to and develop new networking standards in collaboration with peers at Cisco, vendors, and partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s + 8 years, Master’s + 6 years, or PhD + 3 years of related experience in software engineering.
• System architecture and software development experience in the networking domain.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++/Go with a focus on systems programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of routing technologies: BGP, OSPF, ISIS, MPLS protocols.
• Understanding of segment routing, SRv6, traffic engineering, and datacenter technologies like VxLAN.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting/debugging skills.
• Experience with manageability frameworks such as YANG/SNMP/XML.
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux.
• Experience using RTOS (e.g., QNX, VxWorks).
• Practical experience with or deep familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code).

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 their 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.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $186,900.00 to $267,700.00 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. Below are the full salary ranges for specific locations:

• New York City Metro Area: $186,900.00 - $307,800.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $166,300.00 - $274,100.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges provided include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Eligibility for grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment.
• Paid time off:
  • 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: 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
  • Exempt employees: Flexible vacation time off with no defined limit (subject to business availability).
  • 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 for critical or emergency family issues.
  • 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 split between quota and non-quota components, with uncapped earnings potential beyond 100% attainment.