Software Engineer : C/C++, Python scripting, L2/L3 Networking (9-12 Years)

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,600,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design and develop next-generation control-plane and data-plane software for Cisco IOS XE across enterprise networking and security platforms. You will lead large features from requirements through production deployment, and mentor engineers while advancing AI-assisted technologies in a global networking stack.

You'll apply deep OS knowledge, C and Python skills, and a track record of delivering robust, scalable software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years, of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of operating systems such as Linux, Unix, or RTOS, with experience in the Linux kernel, device drivers, and BSPs.
• Proficiency in C programming and Python scripting for automation, tooling, code generation, and prototyping.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including modular design, clean coding, unit testing, and code reviews.
• Experience developing software or firmware for networking products.
• Excellent knowledge of software architecture and system design.
• Proven technical leadership experience guiding high-performing teams in designing and delivering high-quality features and solutions.
• Hands-on experience with generative AI assistants, natural language processing, and agentic AI technologies or frameworks such as OpenAI models, Gemini, and Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Responsibilities

• Lead large and complex features from requirements definition and architecture through implementation, validation, and production deployment.
• Drive technical decisions and system-level trade-offs for platform-independent database infrastructure, including data models and management frameworks that support switches, routers, wireless controllers, and IoT devices.
• Establish standards for developing clean, secure, scalable, and maintainable software.
• Lead architecture, design, and code reviews, as well as threat-modeling and production-readiness assessments.
• Develop strategies, tools, and processes that improve software quality, reliability, performance, and engineering productivity.
• Resolve complex customer and production issues by leading root-cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner with product management and engineering leaders to establish best practices, influence product roadmaps, and contribute to strategic technology decisions related to telemetry, configuration management, and data modeling within the network operating system.
• Negotiate scope, architecture, timelines, and technical trade-offs with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Mentor senior engineers, strengthen knowledge-sharing practices, and develop technical leadership across the organization.
• Represent the team in technical forums and clearly communicate strategic priorities, risks, decisions, and outcomes to leadership.

Skills

C programming

Python scripting

Linux kernel

Device drivers

BSPs

Software architecture

Technical leadership

Generative AI / NLP

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 9+ years or Master’s +6+ years

Job description

Meet the Team

Looking for an exciting next step in your career? The Catalyst Engineering IOS XE Platform Independent team designs and develops high-performance system software for a wide range of Cisco platforms, including enterprise switches, routers, wireless controllers, Industrial IoT devices, and service-provider routing platforms.

Our team is helping lead the enterprise networking industry through continuous innovation during an exciting period of rapid market evolution. The opportunities to learn, innovate, and make an impact are boundless—and your experience and perspective will add to the energy and strength of our team.

Your Impact

As a Software Engineer, you will design and develop next-generation control-plane and data-plane software for Cisco IOS XE and its enterprise networking and security platforms. You will learn about groundbreaking technologies and platforms while developing software for industry-leading networking equipment.

Using AI and AI-assisted technologies, you will translate complex requirements into secure, robust, and scalable solutions. You will lead significant features from development through integration, create innovative intellectual property, and directly influence the performance, reliability, and security of Cisco’s global networking infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead large and complex features from requirements definition and architecture through implementation, validation, and production deployment.

• Drive technical decisions and system-level trade-offs for platform-independent database infrastructure, including data models and management frameworks that support switches, routers, wireless controllers, and IoT devices.

• Establish standards for developing clean, secure, scalable, and maintainable software.

• Lead architecture, design, and code reviews, as well as threat-modeling and production-readiness assessments.

• Develop strategies, tools, and processes that improve software quality, reliability, performance, and engineering productivity.

• Resolve complex customer and production issues by leading root-cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.

• Partner with product management and engineering leaders to establish best practices, influence product roadmaps, and contribute to strategic technology decisions related to telemetry, configuration management, and data modeling within the network operating system.

• Negotiate scope, architecture, timelines, and technical trade-offs with cross-functional stakeholders.

• Mentor senior engineers, strengthen knowledge-sharing practices, and develop technical leadership across the organization.

• Represent the team in technical forums and clearly communicate strategic priorities, risks, decisions, and outcomes to leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years, of relevant experience.

• Strong understanding of operating systems such as Linux, Unix, or RTOS, with experience in the Linux kernel, device drivers, and board support packages (BSPs).

• Proficiency in C programming and Python scripting for automation, tooling, code generation, and prototyping.

• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including modular design, clean coding, unit testing, and code reviews.

• Experience developing software or firmware for networking products.

• Excellent knowledge of software architecture and system design.

• Proven technical leadership experience guiding high-performing teams in designing and delivering high-quality features and solutions.

• Hands-on experience with generative AI assistants, natural language processing, and agentic AI technologies or frameworks such as OpenAI models, Gemini, and Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with networking protocols such as TCP/IP, BGP, and OSPF, along with complex system architectures.

• Implementation experience in one or more of the following areas: high availability, inter-process communication, memory management, distributed communication infrastructure, serviceability, containers, or virtualization.

• Experience with NETCONF, RESTCONF, gRPC, Protocol Buffers, cloud technologies, or network automation.

• Familiarity with Cisco platforms, IOS XE, and hardware architecture.

• Cisco certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE are 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.