Software Engineer :: C/C++, Python scripting, L2/L3 Networking (5-9 Years)

Cisco Systems, Inc; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. in Bengaluru invites a Software Engineer to design, develop, and integrate IOS XE platform software. You will work on high‑performance code for Enterprise Switching and Routers, collaborating with a BU‑wide technical community.

The role emphasizes learning, problem solving, and contributing to IP value creation, with opportunities to file patents and influence development lifecycles while advancing networking solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree +5 years experience or Master’s +3 years or PhD +0 years.
• Experience with control plane or data plane software and networking OS internals.
• Proficient in C/C++ and software for networking products.
• Experience with IXIA/Sniffer is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test robust, scalable software components and features that meet rigorous technical standards.
• Design and development of control plane and data plane software for Cisco IOSXE Switching, Routing, Wireless, IIOT products.
• Analyse requirements and problem statements to come with right software designs and solutions; write design docs and specs.
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues to ensure optimal system stability.
• Drive continuous improvement of development lifecycles, engineering processes, and industry best practices.
• Innovate to file patents and create IP value for the company.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Networking software development

Linux/RTOS knowledge

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

PhD (optional)

Tools

IXIA

Sniffer

OpenAI APIs

Python

Job description

Meet the Team

Looking forward to getting an exciting start to your career? Catalyst Engineering IOS XE Platform Independent team, designs and develops high-performance system software for various Cisco Platforms which includes Enterprise Switching & Routers, Service Provider Routing Platforms. This is one of the team where we are leading the Enterprise Industry with several innovations; and we are in an exciting phase in the rapidly evolving market. The opportunities here are boundless, and we are sure you will add a character to the dynamism of this team!

Your impact

In your role as a Software Engineer, you will develop and integrate products that are deployed by some of the leading Enterprises in the world. You will work with a BU-wide vibrant technical community, learning from experts and translating this learning into exciting opportunities for personal growth. You will work on IOS XE OS that forms a crucial backbone of many Enterprise devices. You will learn about groundbreaking technologies and platforms while developing software for these equipment’s. Experience the exhilaration of taking a product through development and integration.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test robust, scalable software components and features that meet rigorous technical standards.
• Design and development of control plane and data plane software for Cisco IOSXE Switching, Routing, Wireless, IIOT products.
• Analyse requirements and problem statements to come with right software designs and solutions. To be able to write details Design documents and Functional Specifications.
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues to ensure optimal system stability,
• Drive the continuous improvement of development lifecycles, engineering processes, and industry best practices.
• To be able to innovate and come up with new ideas that can lead to filing patents and creating IP value for the company

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
• Prior work experience withcontrol plane software or data plane software, data structures, Wireless experience (802.11ac/ax/be), Linux/RTOS/Networking OS internals
• Proficient in writing quality code in C/C++.
• Experience in developing software/firmware for networking products.
• Excellent knowledge of software architecture and system design.
• Experience using Traffic generators/Analyzers such as IXIA/Sniffer is a plus.
• Built an agentic network-diagnostics assistant using Python, OpenAI APIs, RAG, and MCP-based tools to analyse device logs, retrieve relevant technical documentation, and generate evidence-backed troubleshooting recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF) and complex systems architecture.
• Good hands-on implementation experience with one or more of the following: High Availability, IPC, Memory management, Distributed communications Infrastructure, Serviceability, Containers, Virtualization
• Proven ability to rapidly acquire new technical skills and adapt to evolving business requirements.
• Cisco Networking certificates such as CCNA, CCNP, CCIE 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.