Principal Engineer, Quantum Software Development

Cisco Systems, Inc; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 251,000 - 363,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead a team of engineers in building quantum software and hardware systems. You will guide architecture, contribute hands-on, and drive integration across quantum control and error-correction domains.

You will influence the technical direction of Cisco’s Quantum Data Center and quantum networking initiatives, leveraging deep knowledge in software architecture and quantum mechanics.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering focusing on architecture, system design, and distributed systems.
• Experience using Go and/or Python for scalable, production-grade apps.
• Experience in a technical leadership or people management role with hands-on coding responsibilities.
• Hardware–software integration and co-design knowledge with quantum mechanics foundations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of distributed quantum software and hardware systems.
• Guide a team of engineers and contribute hands-on to code and system design.
• Drive quantum control, orchestration, and error correction solutions.
• Shape the technical direction of Cisco’s Quantum Data Center and quantum internet initiatives.

Skills

Distributed systems

Software architecture

Go/Python development

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's/PhD in related field

Job description

Meet the Team

Outshift is Cisco’s incubation team, built to chase technologies that do not fit anywhere else yet. Our quantum group runs Cisco Quantum Labs, where we are building real hardware and software for the quantum internet. This includes an entanglement chip developed in collaboration with UC Santa Barbara and the new Cisco Universal Quantum Switch. We also host our own Quantum Summit every year. Join us to lead and innovate at the forefront of quantum networking and computing.

Your Impact

As a Principal Software Engineer and hands‑on technical leader, you will guide a team of engineers while actively contributing to the architecture and development of quantum software and hardware systems. You will develop and implement distributed systems, ensuring flawless hardware-software integration for our quantum networking initiatives. By leveraging your expertise in software architecture and quantum mechanics, you will drive the development of quantum control, orchestration, and error correction solutions. Your leadership will directly influence the technical direction of realizing Cisco’s vision for the Quantum Data Center, crafting the future of the quantum internet.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors + 15 years of related experience, or Masters + 12 years of related experience, or PhD + 8 years of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.

10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on software architecture, system design, and distributed systems.

Experience using Golang and/or Python to design and deliver scalable, production‑grade applications.

Experience in a technical leadership or people management role, maintaining hands‑on contributions to codebases and system architecture.

Experience in hardware‑software integration and co‑design, supported by a foundational understanding of quantum mechanics and complex system architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

Sophisticated expertise in quantum control and orchestration for quantum networking or computing systems.

Direct experience developing and implementing error correction and noise mitigation strategies in quantum environments.

Experience leading innovative technology products from early‑stage development to commercial readiness.

Experience mentoring engineers, foster an inclusive team culture, and collaborate across cross‑functional research and development groups.

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Physics, Quantum Engineering, or a related technical field.

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.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada

The starting salary range posted for this position is $250,600.00 to $362,600.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate’s hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.

Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies: 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations) 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows: .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota; 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%; 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation. For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

• New York City Metro Area: $250,600.00 - $416,900.00
• Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $241,400.00 - $371,000.00
• * For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
• ** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

Cisconians power the future. We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale.

The depth and breadth of our technology doesn’t just benefit our customers – it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn. We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together. Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life’s best work.