Software Engineer-Network programming, SDK, C/C++, P4

Meet the Team

At the Data Center Business Unit in Cisco, we are dedicated to driving innovation in networking technologies. Our focus is on developing industry-leading Ethernet Switching products that address the evolving needs of modern network infrastructures, including AI, cloud computing, and enterprise environments.

Your Impact

In this role, you will contribute to the design and development of core Ethernet Switching technologies powering Cisco Nexus data center switches. You will work on critical networking infrastructure deployed in large-scale public and private cloud environments and collaborate with highly skilled engineers across software, hardware, architecture, and test teams.

As a senior member of the engineering team, you will drive feature development from concept to deployment, influence technical direction, and help deliver high-quality software solutions that enable scalable, reliable, and secure networking products.

Responsibilities:

•Design, develop, and enhance software for Cisco's Nexus data center switching platforms.

•Lead the implementation of medium-to-large features from requirements through design, development, testing, and deployment.

•Collaborate with architects and senior technical leaders to define software solutions and technical roadmaps.

•Work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, verification, system test, and product management organizations.

•Drive technical discussions, design reviews, and code reviews to ensure high-quality deliverables.

•Analyze and resolve complex software, system, and product integration issues.

•Contribute to architecture discussions and influence technical decisions within the team.

•Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and performance.

•Participate in debugging and root-cause analysis of customer-reported and production issues.

•Develop and execute unit tests and support system-level validation activities.

•Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, automation, and engineering best practices.

•Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to team members.

•Work independently on assigned deliverables while effectively communicating progress, risks, and dependencies.

•Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in networking, cloud infrastructure, and data center architectures.

Minimum Qualifications

•Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of related experience, Master's degree with 6+ years of related experience, or PhD with 4+ years of related experience.

•Strong programming skills in C and/or C++, along with proficiency in Python.

•Experience in embedded software development and/or networking software development for routers and switches.

•Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills using tools such as GDB.

•Hands-on experience with Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols and packet forwarding technologies.

•Experience with ACL, QoS, CPU packet path, forwarding pipelines, and networking software architecture.

•Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC), version control systems, and Agile development methodologies.

•Experience using traffic generation and validation tools such as IXIA and Spirent.

Preferred Qualifications

•Experience with SDK development and integration on networking ASICs, NPUs, or DPUs.

•Solid understanding of modern data center networking technologies and Ethernet switching architectures.

•Hands-on experience with packet forwarding ASICs, network processors, and hardware-software interaction.

•Experience integrating, debugging, and optimizing networking SDKs in production software environments.

•Ability to lead technical initiatives and drive feature ownership across multiple development teams.

•Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional global teams.

•Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical growth within the team.

•Experience with AI/ML networking, cloud-scale data center technologies, or high-performance networking solutions is a plus.

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.