Software Engineering Technical Leader – Silicon One Software (Timing & Synchronization)

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

Job summary

Cisco Silicon One Software Engineering team seeks an expert Software Engineering Technical Leader to own Timing and Synchronization software components for Cisco Silicon One platforms, working with architects and cross‑functional teams.

You will lead PTP/SyncE initiatives, develop high-performance C++ for Linux-based embedded networking systems, and mentor engineers while driving timing validation and performance monitoring.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field with 10+ years of software development experience; OR Master’s degree with 8+ years of software development experience.
• Strong software development expertise in C++.
• Experience developing software for embedded Linux systems and hardware-constrained environments.
• Strong understanding of Linux operating systems, including system-level software development and debugging.
• Hands-on experience using GDB and related debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of Timing and Synchronization software features for Cisco Silicon One platforms.
• Contribute to the implementation and evolution of PTP, SyncE, and related timing technologies.
• Develop high-performance software solutions in C++ for Linux-based embedded networking systems.
• Design and develop software components supporting clock synchronization, timing measurements, monitoring, diagnostics, and performance validation.
• Collaborate with silicon architects, hardware engineers, SDK teams, and NOS teams to enable timing functionality across Silicon One platforms.
• Lead implementation and integration of timing features across software layers including SDK, platform software, and NOS.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and resolution of complex software and system issues using GDB and other debugging tools.
• Contribute to frameworks for timing validation, synchronization monitoring, performance measurements, and solving.
• Participate in architecture discussions, design reviews, and technical planning activities with senior technical leaders and architects.
• Mentor engineers, conduct code reviews, and promote engineering guidelines.
• Collaborate across software, firmware, hardware, and ASIC teams to deliver high‑quality networking solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software quality, development processes, and automation infrastructure.

Skills

C++

Embedded Linux

GDB debugging

Python

Networking software

NOS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

GDB

Linux

Job description

Meet the Team

Cisco Silicon One™ is Cisco’s groundbreaking silicon architecture that powers the next generation of web‑scale, cloud, service provider, and enterprise networks. The Silicon One Software Engineering team develops the platform software, SDKs, and system software that enable the full capabilities of Cisco’s industry‑leading networking silicon.

Our engineers work closely with silicon architects, ASIC designers, hardware engineers, and Network Operating System (NOS) teams to deliver highly scalable and performant networking solutions deployed in some of the world’s largest networks.

We are seeking an expert Software Engineering Technical Leader to own the design and development of Timing and Synchronization software components for Cisco Silicon One platforms, working closely with architects, senior technical leaders, and cross‑multi‑functional engineering teams.

Your Impact

As a Software Engineering Technical Leader, you will provide technical leadership for key Timing and Synchronization software initiatives across Cisco Silicon One products while collaborating closely with architects, senior technical leaders, and multi‑functional engineering teams.

You Will

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of Timing and Synchronization software features for Cisco Silicon One platforms.
• Contribute to the implementation and evolution of Precision Time Protocol (PTP), Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), and related timing technologies.
• Develop high-performance software solutions in C++ for Linux‑based embedded networking systems.
• Design and develop software components supporting clock synchronization, timing measurements, monitoring, diagnostics, and performance validation.
• Collaborate with silicon architects, hardware engineers, SDK teams, and Network Operating System teams to enable timing functionality across Silicon One platforms.
• Lead implementation and integration of timing features across software layers including SDK, platform software, and Network Operating Systems.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and resolution of complex software and system issues using GDB and other debugging tools.
• Contribute to frameworks for timing validation, synchronization monitoring, performance measurements, and solving.
• Participate in architecture discussions, design reviews, and technical planning activities with senior technical leaders and architects.
• Mentor engineers, conduct code reviews, and promote engineering guidelines.
• Collaborate across software, firmware, hardware, and ASIC teams to deliver high‑quality networking solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software quality, development processes, and automation infrastructure.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field with 10+ years of software development experience; OR
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field with 8+ years of software development experience.
• Strong software development expertise in C++.
• Experience developing software for embedded Linux systems and hardware‑constrained environments.
• Strong understanding of Linux operating systems, including system‑level software development and debugging.
• Hands‑on experience using GDB and related debugging tools.

Experience Developing Networking Software Involving

• Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
• Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE)
• Timing synchronization and clock management
• Strong understanding of Layer 1 and Layer 2 networking technologies.
• Hands on knowledge of networking hardware components including PHY, MAC, and SerDes.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, or debugging software for networking platforms and networking hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and handling Timing software across multiple Network Operating Systems (NOS).
• Deep understanding of timing‑related networking standards and protocols, including IEEE 1588.
• Experience with timing measurements, synchronization validation, clock recovery, holdover mechanisms, timing monitoring, and diagnostics.
• Experience developing SDKs, platform software, or device drivers for networking ASICs, NPUs, or switching/routing silicon.
• Experience enabling and validating networking features on ASIC‑based platforms.
• Familiarity with Silicon One architecture, SDKs, and software ecosystem.
• Experience with Linux kernel interfaces, device drivers, and low‑level hardware programming.
• Proficiency in Python for automation, diagnostics, and validation frameworks.
• Experience with Port Management software, Ethernet port bring‑up, PHY configuration, MAC programming, and SerDes diagnostics.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, switch/router architectures, and high‑performance networking systems.
• Validated ability to lead complex technical initiatives and collaborate effectively across multiple teams.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills.

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.