Software Development Engineer

Job description

Software Development Engineer

Apply (https://jobs.cisco.com/jobs/Login?projectId=1446739)

+ Location:Milpitas, California, US
+ Area of InterestEngineer - Software
+ Compensation Range152500 USD - 219200 USD
+ Job TypeProfessional
+ Technology InterestSoftware Development
+ Job Id1446739

The application window is expected to close on: **10/31/2025**

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

This is a hybrid role working from our Milpitas, CA location and candidates are expected onsite 3 days per week.

**Meet the Team**

Cisco’s Silicon One™ architecture is changing the economics of high-performance networking.

The Cygnus BSP group is at the foundation of the software stack—right next to the silicon—turning bleeding-edge ASICs into production-ready platforms.

If you enjoy register-level programming, timing-critical bring-up, and squeezing the last nanosecond out of a datapath, you’ll fit right in!

**Your Impact**

+ Work on the NPU/Slice datapath vertical for multiple Cygnus-based platforms, from first power-on through full system launch.
+ Design and implement production-grade reset, initialization, and power-sequencing routines for Silicon One and future NPU ASICs.
+ Extend the hwqual (hardware-qualification) application to enable datapath forwarding features—IP forwarding, QoS, punt-path handling, and more.
+ Develop robust diagnostics, counters, and telemetry hooks that replace fragile one-off scripts.
+ Develop and automate test cases for platform software for NPU and other subsystems.
+ Integrate your code into CI/CD pipelines and at-scale automation that keep bring-up cycles fast, repeatable, and auditable.
+ Debug initialization and bring-up issues using on-chip traces, and custom tools.

**Minimum Qualifications**

+ Bachelor’s with 5+ years of related experience or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering with 3+ years of experience or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
+ Experience with basic IPv4/Ipv6 networking protocols, ssh, telnet, Linux OS and networking basics
+ C/C++ development skills; experience with Python for tooling, automation, and test.

**Preferred Qualifications**

+ 3+ years of experience with high-performance networking ASICs (e.g., Cisco Silicon One, Broadcom DNX/Jericho, Nvidia Spectrum, or similar).
+ Knowledge of datapath initialization, low-level register programming, and performance tuning.
+ Working experience automating Platform specific features, NPU testing.

SFP Optics testing, Ethernet, Layer2/Layer3 protocols

**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.

Simply put – we power the future.

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:**

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 haveaccess (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/careers/we-are-cisco/benefits-and-perks.html) 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.
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Required Skill Profession

Other General