Meet the Team
Looking forward to getting an exciting start to your career? Catalyst Engineering IOS XE Platform Independent team, designs and develops high-performance system software for various Cisco Platforms which includes Enterprise Switching & Routers, Service Provider Routing Platforms. This is one of the team where we are leading the Enterprise Industry with several innovations; and we are in an exciting phase in the rapidly evolving market. The opportunities here are boundless, and we are sure you will add a character to the dynamism of this team!
Your Impact
As a Software Engineer, you’ll build and integrate software that powers leading enterprise networking solutions deployed by organizations around the world. You’ll work on Cisco IOS XE, a critical operating system at the heart of many enterprise networking devices, while gaining hands-on experience with emerging technologies and large-scale platforms.
You’ll be part of a vibrant, collaborative technical community where you can learn from experienced engineers, share ideas, and turn your expertise into meaningful solutions. From design and development to integration and deployment, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact while continuously learning and growing your career.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and test scalable, high-quality software components for Cisco IOS XE.
- Develop control-plane and data-plane software for switching, routing, wireless, and IIoT products.
- Analyze requirements and create effective software designs, functional specifications, and solutions.
- Troubleshoot complex issues to ensure system stability, security, and performance.
- Drive engineering process improvements and adopt industry best practices.
- Innovate and contribute ideas that create intellectual property and patent opportunities.
Minimum Qualifications:
We are seeking a bachelor’s with 5+ years of related experience, or Masters with 3+ years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
- Good programming skills in C/C++, with a focus on writing reliable, maintainable, and high-quality code.
- Experience or understanding of networking software/firmware, including control plane, data plane, Linux/RTOS, or networking OS internals.
- Knowledge of data structures, software architecture, and system design, with the ability to translate requirements into effective solutions.
- Experience with wireless technologies (802.11ac/ax/be) and network testing tools such as IXIA or packet analyzers
- A passion for innovation and emerging technologies, with experience in areas such as Python, AI/LLMs, RAG, MCP, or building intelligent network-diagnostics solutions being an advantage.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, and complex system architectures.
- Hands-on experience in areas such as High Availability, IPC, memory management, distributed systems, containers, or virtualization.
- Ability to learn quickly, adapt to evolving requirements, and embrace new technologies.
- CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE certification is a plus; equivalent experience is valued.
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.
Disclaimer
To ensure that we hire the best talent in the right way, we follow a strict hiring process and recently, Cisco has been made aware of fraudulent recruiters claiming to be from the company. Please be advised that any communication from Cisco about careers will:
- be in direct response to an application you have submitted through the company career site
- begin with screening or an interview
- originate from a Cisco email address, and
- be conducted across email, phone, or WebEx
Cisco will never make a job offer without conducting an interview process or ask you for money in any way. If you have been requested to apply for a role or have received an offer from a site other than https://careers.cisco.com or cisco.wd5.myworkday.com, do not provide any personal identifying information, including your Aadhaar or other personal identifying number, birth certificate, banking information, driver's license, or passport.
If you are the target of a recruiting scam, consider filing a report with your local law enforcement authorities. Cisco bears no responsibility, and cannot be held liable, for any claims, damages, expenses, or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to recruiting scams.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of related experience, or Master's degree with 3+ years of related experience, or PhD with 0 years of related experience
- Strong programming skills in C/C++
- Experience or understanding of networking software or firmware, including control plane, data plane, Linux/RTOS, or networking OS internals
- Knowledge of data structures, software architecture, and system design
- Experience with wireless technologies including 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or 802.11be
- Experience with network testing tools such as IXIA or packet analyzers
- Experience with TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, and complex system architectures
- Hands-on experience with high availability, IPC, memory management, distributed systems, containers, or virtualization
- CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE certification
- Experience with Python, AI/LLMs, RAG, MCP, or intelligent network-diagnostics solutions
Cisco Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cisco and has not been reviewed or approved by Cisco.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust with multiple plan options and access to onsite/virtual LifeConnections Health Centers on major campuses. Company materials also highlight mental-health resources and comprehensive preventive care, supporting strong core medical benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away includes company‑wide recharge days, a paid birthday, a year‑end shutdown, and paid Critical Time Off for emergencies. Paid volunteer days further expand opportunities to step away and recharge.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies include a global minimum for paid parental leave for primary caregivers, caregiving concierge services, and on‑site children’s learning centers in select locations. In the U.S., family‑building support is consolidated under Carrot with a defined lifetime maximum, indicating structured assistance across fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy.
Cisco Insights
What We Do
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) enables people to make powerful connections--whether in business, education, philanthropy, or creativity. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible--providing easy access to information anywhere, at any time. Cisco was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company's inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. Today, with more than 71,000 employees worldwide, this tradition of innovation continues with industry-leading products and solutions in the company's core development areas of routing and switching, as well as in advanced technologies such as home networking, IP telephony, optical networking, security, storage area networking, and wireless technology. In addition to its products, Cisco provides a broad range of service offerings, including technical support and advanced services. Cisco sells its products and services, both directly through its own sales force as well as through its channel partners, to large enterprises, commercial businesses, service providers, and consumers.
