Leader, Software Engineering

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. Bengaluru seeks an experienced Engineering Leader to join the DCN NX-OS team, guiding cross-functional efforts across product, QA, and operations to deliver scalable network software for Nexus 9000 platforms.

You will mentor engineers, shape architecture, and drive AI-driven delivery while managing risk and stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced data-center environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering with 2+ years in engineering leadership
• Strong hands-on experience delivering large-scale embedded system control and data plane tech, including L2/L3 networking and VXLAN EVPN fabrics on Linux-based OS
• Demonstrated AI/ML integration into software workflows and risk understanding
• Proven ability to lead 2–3 complex, high-impact initiatives simultaneously

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional initiatives to define and implement NX-OS based software solutions for Nexus 9000 Series platforms
• Drive clarity in ambiguous environments and distill challenges into actionable plans
• Partner with Tech Leads to design pragmatic, high-quality architectural solutions
• Champion AI/ML integration to boost delivery efficiency
• Mentor engineers, manage career development, and attract top talent
• Collaborate with Product Management, Quality Management and other units to drive platform adoption
• Proactively manage technical and project risks
• Synthesize platform updates for senior leadership

Skills

Leadership

C/C++ dev

AI/ML integration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/EE

Tools

NX-OS

Linux

VXLAN EVPN

Job description

Meet the Team

The Cisco Data Center Networking (DCN) Engineering group leads innovation in building products that power the world’s largest networks. As the networking industry evolves and modernize to meet the needs of the modern Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing workloads, our team is uniquely positioned to drive this transformation.

We work closely with large Hyperscaler and Enterprise customers to meet their AI/ML networks solutions by building Cisco’s next generation, Silicon One Asics based Nexus 9000 series Network platforms with innovative NX-OS software solutions.

Joining our team means working on transformative ideas that are shaping the future of Data center AI infrastructure. You’ll collaborate with industry leaders, contribute to innovative advancements in Data Center networking solutions, and drive revolutionary progress in the field. We value our customers and thrive on teamwork.
Come prepared to grow, be inspired, and make a difference. Together, we are redefining what’s possible in the world of AI datacenter infrastructure routers and switches.

Your Impact

• DCN Nexus OS Interface Infra and forwarding Leadership:Lead cross-functional initiatives to define and implement unified NX-OS based software solution Nexus 9000 Series platforms.Challenge existing assumptions and use data-driven insights to advocate for innovative, scalable networking solutions.
• Customer-Focused Delivery & Clarity:Drive clarity in ambiguous environments by distilling complex challenges into actionable plans, ensuring the team remains focused on measurable customer outcomes.
• Technical Partnership & Architecture:Leverage your strong technical background and hands-on expertise to partner with Tech Leads, driving pragmatic, high-quality architectural solutions and collaborative decision-making.
• AI-Driven Software Delivery:Champion AI/ML integration into the platform workflow, utilizing your demonstrated hands-on experience to design solutions that boost efficiency and remove delivery barriers.
• Team Leadership:Foster a culture of high performance, inclusivity, and continuous learning. Mentor engineers, manage career development, and attract top-tier talent to build a world-class NX-OS engineering team.
• Cross-Functional Influence:Partner with Product Management, Quality Management, Nexus dashboard and other engineering ecosystem units to translate requirements into technical strategies that drive platform adoption and achieve shared Cisco Data Center Networking Business unit goals.
• Risk Management:Proactively manage technical and project risks by navigating constant change and high-demand requirements through rigorous, continuous prioritization to ensure system stability and compliance.
• Executive Communication:Synthesize complex platform updates into clear, concise communications for senior leadership, representing engineering progress and strategic vision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience:10+ years of experience in software engineering, with atleast 2+ years in a formal Engineering leadership Management role leading high-performing teams.
• Technical Background:Strong understanding and Hands-on development experience delivering large-scale embedded system control and data plane technologies, including L2/L3 networking and VXLAN-based EVPN fabrics using C/C++ as development language on a Linux based OS on networking switches and routers. Candidates must demonstrate deep technical fluency—beyond people management to provide architectural oversight and design guidance.
• AI Proficiency:Demonstrated hands-on experience building and integrating AI/ML solutions into software workflows, including a clear understanding of the associated risks.
• Project Management:Proven ability to successfully lead and deliver 2–3 complex, high-impact initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Education:Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field

Preferred Qualifications

• Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex technical updates for Engineering leadership team and drive consensus across multiple cross-functional business units.
• Experience with Nexus 9000 series networking platform 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.