Software Engineering Technical Leader- SDET

The application window is expected to close on: 08/10/2026

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

Meet The team:

Join the Data Center Automation Team, where we build and validate automation for Cisco’s Nexus Dashboard applications that enable large-scale enterprise, Webscale, and AI/ML data center environments. Our work helps customers manage and monitor complex infrastructure with greater speed, reliability, and confidence.

Your Impact:

What You’ll Do: 
•  Review PRD, SFS, and create comprehensive Test plans and customer-facing documentation.
•  Execute software tests, diligently track and log issues, and drive them to resolution while ensuring the verification of bug fixes.
•  Collaborate with Development, Marketing, and Customer-facing teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality software features.
•  Understand and implement Data Center architecture in testing topologies.
•  Implement networking concepts for testing telemetry and programmability technologies.
•  Engage in Early Field Trials and Customer POCs as required.
•  Work closely with field/customer-facing teams to incorporate feedback into internal test  phases and build standard methodologies.
•  Automate switch and software controller testing using Python and Selenium.     
• Identify, evaluate, and implement automation tools, libraries, and technologies to enhance the automation framework.
• Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines for testing and deployment processes.

Minimum Qualifications: 

•    Bachelors + 12 years of related experience, or Masters + 8 years of related experience, or PhD + 5 years of related experience 
•    Experience testing on Networking and Network Management/Controller Application
•    Proficiency in microservices architecture and design principles.
•    5+ years of experience in automation with scripting languages such as Python, Selenium, with a preference for a good understanding of Cisco pyATS infrastructure.
•    Strong experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and container orchestration.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git).
•    Hands-on experience in building testbeds, scoping testing efforts using technical judgments with minimal supervision.
•    Problem-solving and software troubleshooting skills.
•    Experience in testing Networking technologies such as L2/L3, Vxlan, EVPN and understanding of OAM, Telemetry, Data Center Spine/Leaf architecture, and Programmability (REST/NETCONF/OC, etc.).
•    Experience in testing GUI products, with UI automation skills as a plus.
•    2-3 years’ experience using 3rd party test tools such as Ixia, Spirent, Infoblox, etc., with experience automating using APIs on these tools being a plus.
•    Exposure to CI/CD, Jenkins, and a Test-driven development approach.

 
 

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 $214,100.00 to $309,800.00 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:

$214,100.00 - $356,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$192,400.00 - $317,200.00

* 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.