Software Engineer - C/C++ Networking & Security

Cisco Systems, Inc; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc in Bengaluru seeks a Technical Lead to drive secure networking solutions spanning VPN, PKI, cryptography, and SD-WAN Platform Infra. You will architect scalable, resilient systems and guide multi-functional teams to deliver high-impact features.

The role emphasizes ownership from concept to production, with opportunities to apply AI-assisted tooling to improve productivity and software quality across the team. A strong background in networking and embedded Linux is required.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of deep technical experience in networking and security systems.
• Strong programming in C/C++ and understanding of secure networking.
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP, routing and distributed systems.
• Experience in embedded Linux software development.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and lead critical projects end-to-end.
• Excellent communication and ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of secure networking solutions across VPN (IPSec/IKEv2), PKI, cryptography, and SD-WAN Platform Infra.
• Architect systems to ensure high scalability, resiliency, and security posture.
• Drive multi-functional teamwork to deliver critically significant features.
• Improve performance, reliability, and operational excellence of distributed systems at scale.
• Influence technical direction and execution for high-impact projects.
• Drive innovation in next-generation secure networking initiatives.
• Take complete ownership from conception to production release across teams.
• Drive adoption of AI-assisted tools to improve engineering productivity and quality.
• Lead, mentor, and spread standard processes to other specialists.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Networking fundamentals

Embedded Linux

Leadership and cross-team

Communication skills

Tools

Yocto build system

Cloud platform integration

RFCs knowledge

Job description

Meet the Team

We, Security, Solutions and SDWAN Platform Infra, are a team passionate about building next-generation secure connectivity solutions across VPN, cryptography, PKI, and SD-WAN. Across on-prem, cloud, and SSE/SIG environments, we deliver secure, scalable systems and apply AI intelligence to improve security posture, automate certificate lifecycle management, optimize performance, and enable predictive monitoring at scale. Our work spans SDWAN Platform Infrastructure, crypto infrastructure, PKI systems, VPN technologies, SD-WAN secure fabric, and post-quantum security, powering millions of secure connections globally.

We are looking for Technical Lead to join team. You will be part of team building secure networking solutions in a high-impact, fast-paced environment. Your work will help build scalable, secure systems that enable site-to-site and remote access VPNs, certificate-driven trust models, cloud connectivity, and AI-enhanced secure SD-WAN architectures including initiatives in post-quantum security.

Your Impact

• Lead the design and development of secure networking solutions across VPN (IPSec/IKEv2), PKI, cryptography, and SD-WAN Platform Infra
• Architect systems that ensure high scalability, resiliency, and security posture
• Drive multi-functional teamwork to deliver critically significant features
• Improve performance, reliability, and operational excellence of distributed systems at scale
• Influence technical direction and execution for high-impact projects that improve scalability, resiliency, security posture, and customer experience
• Drive innovation in next-generation secure networking initiatives
• Take complete ownership from conception to production release by demonstrating your ability to influence, facilitate, and work multi-functionally across teams
• Drive the adoption of AI-assisted tools such as Codex to improve engineering productivity, automate development workflows, accelerate debugging, and enhance software quality across the team
• Lead, mentor, and spread standard processes to other specialists on the team

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of deep technical experience across networking and security domains, large-scale, production-grade systems
• Strong programming expertise in C/C++
• Deep understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, routing, distributed systems)
• Validated experience in system design and architecture for scalable, reliable systems
• Track record of leading critical projects end-to-end
• Experience in embedded Linux software development
• Ability to influence technical direction across teams
• Good communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IPSec VPN technologies
• Embedded Linux system development, Yocto-based build system expertise, and cloud platform integration skills.
• Understanding of PKI systems and certificate lifecycle management
• Background in network security, SD-WAN, or secure connectivity
• Exposure to cryptographic systems and protocols
• Experience demonstrating AI-assisted development tools to improve team productivity
• Exposure to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) or cryptographic agility
• Experience chipping in to networking/security standards (RFCs)

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.