The Catalyst 9000 team is responsible for delivering industry-leading enterprise switching solutions that power campus, branch, and data center networks worldwide. We focus on building highly reliable, secure, scalable, and intelligent networking platforms that enable customers to accelerate digital transformation while maintaining operational excellence.
As part of the Quality Engineering organization, you will play a critical role in validating next-generation Catalyst switching platforms and software features. You will collaborate with engineering, product management, architecture, and customer support teams to ensure exceptional product quality through comprehensive testing, automation, and AI-assisted validation methodologies.
Your Impact
• Define and drive test strategies for Catalyst 9000 switching platforms, ensuring comprehensive validation across functional, scale, performance, resiliency, interoperability, and security domains.
• Design, develop, and maintain scalable test automation frameworks using Python and modern automation technologies.
• Lead end-to-end validation of Layer 2, Layer 3, security, management, and platform software features.
• Develop automated test suites for feature validation, regression testing, system integration testing, upgrade testing, and customer deployment scenarios.
• Collaborate closely with software developers, architects, and product managers to understand feature requirements and define robust validation plans.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, Codex, Claude, and VS Code extensions to improve automation productivity, test coverage, and engineering efficiency.
• Build and enhance CI/CD-based validation pipelines to enable continuous testing and faster release cycles.
• Perform root-cause analysis of complex networking and software issues using protocol-level debugging and packet analysis tools.
• Drive quality metrics, risk assessments, defect prevention initiatives, and release readiness reviews.
• Mentor team members on networking technologies, automation best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and quality engineering methodologies.
• Partner with customer support and field teams to reproduce customer issues and validate software fixes.
Minimum Qualifications and Requirements
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 1+ years of experience in Software QA, System Validation, or Network Testing.
• Strong experience testing enterprise switching and networking products.
• Hands-on expertise with:Layer 2 SwitchingVLANs, VTP, STP, RSTP, MSTEtherChannel, LACPLayer 3 RoutingIPv4 and IPv6ARP, DNS, DHCPOSPF, EIGRP, BGPVRF, MulticastACLs, QoSAAA, RADIUS, TACACS+High Availability and Redundancy features
• Experience validating network security features including:802.1XMACsecTrustSecPort SecurityDHCP SnoopingDynamic ARP InspectionIP Source Guard
• Strong automation experience using Python.
• Hands-on experience with REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, JSON, and YAML.
• Experience using automation and testing frameworks such as PyTest, Robot Framework, or equivalent.
• Strong Linux fundamentals including scripting, troubleshooting, and system administration.
• Experience with virtualization and container technologies such as VMware, KVM, Docker, or Kubernetes.
• Proficiency with Git and modern software development workflows.
• Strong troubleshooting experience using:WiresharktcpdumpIxiaSpirentNetwork protocol analyzers
• Strong analytical, debugging, and end-to-end solution validation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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.
Disclaimer
To ensure that we hire the best talent in the right way, we follow a strict hiring process and recently, Cisco has been made aware of fraudulent recruiters claiming to be from the company. Please be advised that any communication from Cisco about careers will:
- be in direct response to an application you have submitted through the company career site
- begin with screening or an interview
- originate from a Cisco email address, and
- be conducted across email, phone, or WebEx
Cisco will never make a job offer without conducting an interview process or ask you for money in any way. If you have been requested to apply for a role or have received an offer from a site other than https://careers.cisco.com or cisco.wd5.myworkday.com, do not provide any personal identifying information, including your Aadhaar or other personal identifying number, birth certificate, banking information, driver's license, or passport.
If you are the target of a recruiting scam, consider filing a report with your local law enforcement authorities. Cisco bears no responsibility, and cannot be held liable, for any claims, damages, expenses, or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to recruiting scams.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology, or a related field
- 1+ years of experience in Software QA, System Validation, or Network Testing
- Experience testing enterprise switching and networking products
- Hands-on expertise with Layer 2 switching, VLANs, VTP, STP, RSTP, MST, EtherChannel, and LACP
- Hands-on expertise with Layer 3 routing, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, DNS, DHCP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, VRF, Multicast, ACLs, QoS, AAA, RADIUS, TACACS+, and high-availability features
- Experience validating network security features including 802.1X, MACsec, TrustSec, Port Security, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection, and IP Source Guard
- Strong automation experience using Python
- Experience with REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, JSON, and YAML
- Experience using PyTest, Robot Framework, or equivalent automation and testing frameworks
- Strong Linux fundamentals, including scripting, troubleshooting, and system administration
- Experience with virtualization and container technologies such as VMware, KVM, Docker, or Kubernetes
- Proficiency with Git and modern software development workflows
- Troubleshooting experience using Wireshark, tcpdump, Ixia, Spirent, and network protocol analyzers
- Strong analytical, debugging, and end-to-end solution validation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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 broad, with medical options including PPOs, high-deductible plans, and regional HMOs. Feedback suggests robust wellness and mental-health resources, with some locations offering on-site support and second medical opinions.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is highlighted through paid holidays, paid time off, and additional recharge days such as “Days for Me,” with generous volunteer time also mentioned. Feedback suggests these programs help support rest, volunteering, and critical life events.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support appears extensive, including paid child-bonding leave, family medical leave, and caregiving resources. Observations also point to family-planning assistance and adoption or surrogacy support in some regions.
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.
