Software Engineer

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

The application window is expected to close on 03/13/2026. Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.  

This is an onsite role and will require working out of the San Jose, CA office location. 

Meet the Team  

Cisco Silicon One is the center of Cisco’s ASIC design and is driving the development of next-generation network devices for the AI/ML era. Our outstanding team works in a startup atmosphere within a stable and leading corporate environment, and our design center hosts all silicon Hardware and Software development fields under one roof.  

Our devices are crafted for universal adaptability, delivering high speed without sacrificing programmability, buffering, power efficiency, scale, or feature flexibility. The Cisco Silicon One team develops breakthrough silicon products.  

We enable the use of these innovative products in the fast-paced world of Open Standards, Open Networking, and massively Scalable Cloud Data Centers. If you want to work with amazing people and groundbreaking customers developing the next generation of world-class products, join us. 

Your Impact 

We are seeking a dynamic individual to join our small but influential team, bringing experience with SONiC-NOS and tools like WireShark and network protocol analyzers. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your expertise in cutting-edge Cisco infrastructure products while contributing as a collaborative teammate with strong communication skills and a positive attitude. If you are someone who enjoys self-learning, is eager to embrace new challenges, and can quickly adapt to new domains, we’d love to have you on board. 

• You will be working very closely with internal engineering teams including Software, Hardware, and the Systems Software team and external partners/vendors/customers.  

• Develop, Analyze and debug Cisco’s next generation Silicon One Software. 

• Interact and work closely with Cisco System product development teams to develop and debug datapath applications. 

• Interact and work closely with external partners, vendors, and customers to develop, debug and support Silicon One software. 

• Work multi-functionally to drive the SW/HW system integration and testing. 

• Work on networking protocols for switch/router and infrastructure products. 

• Modify and add new and specific software enhancements. 

• Contribute to adding more tests and debugging capabilities to ensure solution and system quality. 

• Translate specialized knowledge of ASIC innovative architecture to Cisco product development teams. 

• Provide guidance and support (including documentation) for Silicon One Customers. 

• Contribute to the next generation of leading infrastructure products. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor of Science EE/CE combined with 7+ years of related experience or Master of Science EE/CE combined with 4+ years of related experience.  

• Prior expertise in software development and integration while utilizing one or more of the following languages: C++, Python.

• Prior expertise in L2 switching/networking; and with hands-on experience in platform solutions and network topologies.  

• Experience developing and debugging in a Linux environment.  

• Prior working experience with system wide development, testing, and debugging.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Working knowledge of GDB/PDB and debugging application and kernel drivers.

• Expertise in forwarding protocols (bridges/routers).

• Experience with traffic generators (i.e. - IXIA or Spirent).
• Experience with High Speed Serdes, MAC ports, and PRBS.
• Experience working with ANLT analyzers.

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

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. 

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:

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

* 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.