Software Engineer, Silicon One Software- Customer Experience - SDK - L2/L3

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,674,000 - 2,232,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. in Bengaluru is looking for a lead engineer to develop and customize software for its Silicon One NPU. This position plays a vital role in customer engagement, software quality improvement, and feature definition.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in C++ and Python, a strong understanding of networking protocols, and leadership abilities. Join a dynamic team revolutionizing network devices for the AI/ML era.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software development experience or 6+ years with an MS degree.
• Mastery of programming languages C++ and Python for network software.
• Experience with L2/L3 networking technologies like MPLS, BGP, and OSPF.

Responsibilities

• Develop C++ and Python software for Silicon One NPU.
• Lead discussions with customers to define requirements.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality software on schedule.

Skills

C++

Python

Networking protocols

Analytical reasoning

Debugging tools (GDB, PDB)

Algorithms and data structures

Education

Bachelor of Science EE/CS

Master of Science EE/CS

Job description

Who We Are

Cisco Silicon One is the center of Cisco’s ASIC design and is driving the development of next‑generation network devices for the AI/ML era. Our outstanding team works in a startup atmosphere within a stable and leading corporate environment, and our design center hosts all silicon Hardware and Software development fields under one roof.

Our devices are crafted for universal adaptability, delivering high speed without sacrificing programmability, buffering, power efficiency, scale, or feature flexibility. The Cisco Silicon One team develops breakthrough silicon products.

We enable the use of these innovative products in the fast‑paced world of Open Standards, Open Networking, and massively Scalable Cloud Data Centers. If you want to work with amazing people and cutting‑edge customers developing the next generation of world‑class products, join us.

Your Impact

As part of Silicon One Customer Engineering team, you will closely interact with Cisco’s Silicon One customers to help with Silicon One product adoption, software development, documentation, technical support, trouble shooting, and maintenance. You will gather information from customers on their requirements, pain points and help them implement in software to improve software quality and customer experience. You will gain intimate knowledge of the Silicon One hardware architecture and software programming models, working closely with the architecture, hardware and software teams. You will develop innovative applications, customizations of Silicon One software to better suit the customer’s needs. You will work with Silicon One Software teams to design and development of software features for both the control plane and data plane on Cisco's Silicon One NPU. You'll play a critical role in creating software that powers highly scalable, low‑power, low‑latency, and dense systems, addressing the ever‑growing demands of AI/ML workloads, internet users, and modern applications.

You will use modern C++, the Silicon One network processing language, and Python to develop software for the NPU. As the lead engineer, you'll participate in customer discussions to define requirements, scope features, and drive the development process from start to finish. You'll take full ownership of delivering high‑quality software on schedule, while leading a team of engineers and providing guidance on design, implementation, and reviews. Additionally, you'll gain deep expertise in the Silicon One hardware architecture and programming models, collaborating with architecture and hardware teams to shape the next generation of ASIC products.

You are an accomplished technical leader with extensive experience in software development for the networking domain. Your mastery spans multiple areas in networking, where you've served as the lead designer for complex systems. Your expertise in control and routing planes, as well as your ability to build large‑scale, high‑density, and highly redundant systems, is widely recognized.

You are deeply committed to developing clean, user‑friendly APIs and well‑defined software layers. As a mentor to your team, you bring optimism and a positive outlook to your work. Driven by self‑motivation, you exhibit a strong sense of ownership and a passion for delivering exceptional results.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science EE/CS combined with 8+ years of related experience or Master of Science EE/CS combined with 6+ years of related experience.

Prior expertise in software development and integration while using one or more of the following programming languages: C++, Python.

Prior expertise with networking protocols and technologies (e.g., L2/L3, MPLS, BGP, OSPF).

Prior expertise in analytical reasoning and debugging, with experience using tools such as GDB, PDB, etc.

Prior working experience with algorithms and data structures.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with cloud, data center, or edge networking products.

Experience with SAI, SONiC or other Network OS.

Experience with writing, testing and supporting software for high performing and scalable networking products.

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.