Meet the Team
The Cisco Distributed System Engineering (DSE) group is at the forefront of developing products that power the largest networks in the world. The networking industry is going through a massive transformation to build the next generation infrastructure to meet the needs of AI/ML workloads and continuously increasing internet users and application. We are uniquely positioned to capture that market transition. This team builds products by harnessing the potential of open-source technologies while pushing the boundaries on Systems and Silicon Architecture.
This solutions team collaborates directly with large webscaler customers to replicate their networks and prepare software and hardware before deployment. With a broad range of expertise and strong communication skills, the team works on short sprints across Cisco's product lineup, focusing on SONiC for web-scale environments, including AIML, routers, and switches.
Your Impact
As a Software Engineer, you'll be part of an agile team engaged in the design, development and execution of tests to qualify network performance for AI/ML capability. You will be a part of our solutions team which works in a fast-paced environment and be responsible for end-to-end product testing and production support.
In this role you will leverage your strong Python automation skills for scripting and testing, with some opportunities for development work. You will work with automation frameworks like PyTest to automate and streamline the testing process. You will be expected to both learn from and make contributions to the open-source community to drive innovative solutions in this space. Other responsibilities will include…
Building out testing environments for system/solution validation
Developing and enhancing test frameworks and benchmarking tools
Defining and gathering data for network performance benchmarking
Troubleshooting customer issues
Minimum Qualifications:
- Around 9+ years of experience in software Testing and automation experience within the networking or telecommunication industry. Preferably in product companies with very good exposure on distributed architecture and networking (routers and switches).
- Adept in Python as coding language. Actively coding and automating functionalities with at least 5+ years of hands-on experience with virtualization and container technologies e.g. Docker.
- Hands-on work experience working with software data and control plane software, Linux user space/OS internals. Comfortable with networking technologies such as L2, L3, VLAN, Port Channel, LAG, VXLAN, Segment Routing, BGP, QoS, ACL etc.
- Experience in designing, modelling, performance testing. Worked with opensource tools and databases (e.g. Redis). Experience in writing of Test Plans and testing of software for high performing and scalable data canter / service provider networking products.
- Comfortable working on technical projects in a complex development environment.
- Self-motivated and quick learner with excellent problem-solving skills, logical thinking and a hunger to learn new technologies.
- Good team player with nice communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge of VxLAN and IP Fabrics, BGP, BGP-EVPN, IPv6, MPLS, SR/SRv6, QoS.
- Working Knowledge of Automation using Python, Experience with PyTest or similar open-source QA automation frameworks
- Fair understanding of the network security requirements.
- Exposure to SONiC or experience working with the SONiC open-source community
- Previous experience in a customer-facing environment
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.
Skills Required
- 9+ years software testing and automation experience in networking or telecommunications product companies
- Strong Python coding and automation skills
- 5+ years hands-on experience with virtualization and container technologies (e.g., Docker)
- Hands-on experience with software data and control plane software, Linux user space and OS internals
- Comfortable with networking technologies: L2, L3, VLAN, Port Channel, LAG, VXLAN, Segment Routing, BGP, QoS, ACL
- Experience designing, modelling, and performance testing; worked with open-source tools and databases (e.g., Redis); writing test plans for scalable datacenter/service provider networking products
- Ability to work on technical projects in complex development environments
- Self-motivated, strong problem-solving, quick learner
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Working knowledge of VxLAN, IP Fabrics, BGP-EVPN, IPv6, MPLS, SR/SRv6, QoS
- Experience with PyTest or similar QA automation frameworks
- Understanding of network security requirements
- Exposure to SONiC or participation in the SONiC open-source community
- Previous customer-facing experience
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 — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, mental health support via an EAP, and access to on-site or virtual health centers indicate robust healthcare offerings. Wellness programs, fitness resources, and specialized services further reinforce coverage depth.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, a global minimum for paid parental leave, and unique programs like company-wide recharge days and paid volunteer time expand time-away options. Additional offerings such as Critical Time Off and adoption assistance add flexibility for life events.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Restricted stock units and a discounted employee stock purchase plan are meaningful elements of total compensation. The prominence of equity can materially augment overall pay packages alongside salary and bonuses.
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.
