Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
This is a hybrid role at the RTP, NC office.
Meet the Team
The internet became a reality because of Cisco and its intelligent innovations in WAN engineering over multiple decades. Today, we are evolving our industry-leading, service-rich SD-WAN solution by building integrated multi-cloud and SASE solutions for our customers. Our technology provides secure connectivity for users and devices from anywhere in the world to their favorite applications—whether running in the cloud, on-premise, or SaaS.
We offer the opportunity to learn and innovate across a vast technology landscape, including Routing, Security, Analytics, Telemetry, Distributed Systems, Machine Learning, and many other areas. Join us and be part of a high-energy team helping transform and build the intelligent internet.
Your Impact
We are seeking a highly skilled Software Development Engineer to join our SD-WAN Security Engineering team, which is responsible for securing the SD-WAN fabric that operates globally at a massive scale. In this role, you will work at the forefront of ground-breaking security technologies in enterprise routers that connect cloud infrastructure and applications. You will be responsible for developing and integrating advanced security features, including Firewall, IPS/IDS, Content Filtering, File Inspection, and various other next-generation firewall capabilities.
Design and develop robust security software for Cisco’s routing portfolio, supporting diverse deployment modes.
Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Architects on roadmaps and priorities to build the next-generation firewall features.
Write clean, maintainable code with unit tests; perform code reviews and contribute to secure coding practices.
Drive high-quality execution by distilling complex technical challenges into elegant, maintainable solutions; author functional and design specifications.
Mentor and guide junior team members in a player-coach model, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.
Use modern development workflows including AI‑assisted coding tools and VSCode.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
Working experience of C/C++ and Python programming, with a strong focus on developing efficient algorithms and optimized code.
Professional experience or related coursework within Network Security domains and common deployment scenarios.
Professional experience or related coursework in concepts such as Layer 3 and Layer 4 networking technologies and services.
Previous experience debugging, troubleshooting, and embedded software development.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with AI assisted development tools such as Copilot, Claude, Codex or similar technologies to improve engineering productivity and code quality.
Experience working in cross‑functional and distributed teams.
Ability to adapt quickly and deliver effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment with changing priorities and technologies.
Demonstrated agility in learning new tools, technologies, and domains with strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
Highly self-motivated with a passion for innovation and developing creative solutions.
#sdwanhiring
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.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:The starting salary range posted for this position is $128,600.00 to $184,900.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position 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. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
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. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. 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.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$155,000.00 - $256,000.00Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$138,100.00 - $227,900.00* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
Skills Required
- Bachelors + 5 years, or Masters + 3 years, or PhD + 0 years of related experience
- Proficient in C/C++ programming
- Proficient in Python programming
- Understanding of Network Security domain and common deployment scenarios
- Foundational knowledge of Layer 3 and Layer 4 networking technologies and services
- Proven experience in complex debugging, troubleshooting, and software development
- Write clean, maintainable code with unit tests and participate in code reviews
- Experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, Claude, Codex) and modern editors (VSCode)
- Experience working in cross-functional and distributed teams
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.







