Software Engineer in Test (Network Security, Performance), Hybrid, RTP, NC

The application window is expected to close on: 10/09/2026Participates in the secure design, build, and testing of software products through the use of systematic tests. Contributes to the design and build of test frameworks and utilities needed to make the automation easier. Develops, modifies, and executes software design plans, automated scripts, and programs for quality assurance. Plays an integral part in CI/CD, facilitates defining quality gates, and ensures quality at every stage in CI/CD. Works closely with product managers and development teams in giving feedback on software requirements, planning the design execution, and resolving problems. Analyzes and writes quality standards and procedures. Analyzes test results to ensure existing functionality and recommends corrective action. Provides risk assessment of product functionality. What You’ll Do: • Designs and deploys small to mid-size (or moderately complex) solutions to test reliability, availability, latency, and performance • May lead projects with limited complexity to execute the defined software engineering roadmap • Leads corrective actions, including root cause analysis and process changes on escaped defects for a particular product feature • Demonstrates proficient knowledge in one or more domains • Writes functional clean code and unit tests with minimal guidance • Performs coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting throughout the development process under minimal supervision • Performs code reviews for others in the project • Writes code enabling scale, reliability, and velocity in product releases • Contributes as an expert in secure coding principles and understands the threat model of a feature • Collaborates on design and implementation of monitoring and alerting in both test and production environments • Contributes to new designs in development by uncovering software problems and implementing solutions • Uses risk-based analysis to focus test efforts based on product and business requirements • Applies understanding of integration points with other software components, Cisco products, or customer environment, and mitigates risks and ramifications of change • Implements automation framework and conducts testing methods to uncover product defects • Executes test cases and test plans for projects with multiple features • Reports issues/findings to developers, product managers, or other teams along with root cause analysis and potential software solutions • Conducts root-cause analysis on software product bugs to definitively identify design issues and potential solutions • Collaborates with others to support CI/CD as a practice and ensure end-to-end quality • Provides feedback on usability and serviceability • Advocates for change to address categories of quality and strategic issues • Oversees the creation and storage of test plans and documentation and translates dashboard metrics into consumable documentation (e.g., release notes, bug reports, test documents, and test results) • Applies defined procedures and best practices for document review • Collaborates with other engineering groups to document test cases • Identifies and acts upon opportunities to assist others • Mentors peers and/or engineering interns • Develops relationship with peer stakeholders within and across teams • Builds productive working relationships • Experienced professional using best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services • Works independently, but receives guidance and direction from leader then determines best approach to accomplish work • Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelors + 5 years of related experience or Masters + 3 years of related experience or PhD + 0 years of related experience • Requires working knowledge and expanded conceptual knowledge in primary technical job family and broadens capabilities • Has worked with and is proficient with current technologies Preferred Qualifications Varies based on the team and business needs | Preferred Qualifications are desired education, experience, and skills that are in addition to Minimum Qualifications.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. 

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 - $256,000.00

Non-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.