Software Engineering Technical Leader- Platform Infrastructure, San Jose, CA
Cisco
Meet the Team
Join Cisco’s MIG Routing team group at the forefront of developing the innovative technologies that keep the world’s largest networks running. As part of our team, you’ll collaborate with industry-leading engineers who are passionate about solving complex technical challenges and setting new benchmarks for performance and reliability. The MIG Routing team is known for its supportive culture, commitment to continuous learning, and its direct impact on the evolution of global connectivity. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to work on transformative projects that shape the backbone of the internet and drive Cisco’s leadership in the networking industry.
Your Impact
You will collaborate with engineering and product teams from conceptualization through customer delivery to develop networking software solutions and platform capabilities for Cisco’s next generation Network Operation System. Your work will directly impact the design, implementation, and quality of large-scale, cutting-edge routing and switching systems. You will be part of an energetic and dynamic development team. You will also work closely with Team Leads (TLs) and Principal Engineers (PEs) to define strategies for future products. Cisco is transforming the way we work, live, play, and learn.
Responsibilities
- Develop networking software solutions and platform capabilities for modular and fully distributed next generation Cisco Network Operation System that powers Cisco’s cutting-edge routing/switching systems.
- Collaborate closely with engineering and product teams to develop software from the conceptualization phase through to customer delivery.
- Lead board bring-up, validation, and debugging of complex embedded systems.
- Implement products and features for large-scale systems that run complex code in high bandwidth environments.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software defects in components ranging from kernel modules to applications.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, driving and collaborating with other technical leaders and software engineers on system and functional design and architecture of new features.
- Write specification documents and review and sign off on requirements documents.
- Commit to a higher standard of quality, even under time-to-market pressures.
- Mentor and coach junior engineers, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing.
- Stay current with industry trends in networking, optics, and embedded systems, and drive adoption of relevant new technologies.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years, OR Master’s degree with 6+ years of experience in software development.
- Experience in programming languages such as C, C++, and Python.
- Experience with Embedded Systems, Linux Kernel and Real-time OS fundamentals, interrupt handling, device driver development, inter-process communication, and bus architectures such as PCIe and I2C.
- Experience with datapath technologies—including optics, PHY, and SerDes—with deep expertise in SerDes and coherent optical technologies for design, implementation, and troubleshooting in embedded networking platforms (routers).
Preferred Qualifications
- AI/ML experience is a plus.
- Experience with optical networking technologies and components.
- Strong understanding of physical layer protocols, signal processing, and modulation techniques.
- Familiarity with CMIS and SFF standards (such as SFP, QSFP) and their application in network systems.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with strong problem-solving and debugging abilities.
- Knowledge of software quality processes.
#WeAreCisco
#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!
When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.
Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.