Senior Software Engineer, AI/ML Network Engineering

Cisco Systems, Inc; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer to design, build, and test software for high-impact networking platforms and distributed systems.

You will collaborate with architects and teams to craft scalable, automation-driven solutions and contribute to large-scale AI-enabled tooling. The role emphasizes modern development practices, open-source technologies, and hands-on troubleshooting to boost performance and reliability in production environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree +7 years of related experience, or Masters +4 years of related experience, or PhD +1 year of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test software for high-impact networking platforms and distributed systems.
• Collaborate with system architects and engineering teams to design scalable solutions that meet product requirements.
• Build systems and applications using modern development practices and open-source technologies.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of complex software projects with an automation-first mindset.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize distributed systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Support production environments and participate in resolving real-world operational challenges.
• Work closely with geographically distributed engineering teams in a collaborative environment.

Skills

C/C++

Python

AI workflows

Agentic frameworks

AI concepts

Linux

Networking fundamentals

Containers

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Cursor

Codex

Claude Code

Devin

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 12/30/2026

Meet the Team The Network Engineering group is at the forefront of building the software platforms that power some of the largest networks in the world. The networking industry is undergoing a major transformation as next-generation infrastructure is developed to support rapidly growing AI/ML workloads and the ever-increasing number of internet users, applications, and services. Our team helps redefine how networking and platform security problems are solved. You will develop security solutions for next-generation networking platforms while creating AI-powered systems that can reason, troubleshoot, and resolve complex infrastructure challenges. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of software engineering, platform security, networking, and AI/ML to deliver transformative tools for large-scale systems. You will work alongside engineers who are passionate about solving complex technical challenges and building large-scale distributed systems. The team operates in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where engineers take ownership across the full product lifecycle — from development and testing through production support.

Your Impact

Join the Infrastructure Engineering team as a Software Engineer and help redefine how networking problems are solved. You will develop innovative software for next-generation networking platforms and create AI-powered systems that can reason, troubleshoot, and resolve complex infrastructure challenges. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of software engineering, networking, and AI/ML to deliver transformative tools for large-scale systems.

In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, and test software for high-impact networking platforms and distributed systems.
• Collaborate with system architects and engineering teams to design scalable solutions that meet product requirements.
• Build systems and applications using modern development practices and open-source technologies.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of complex software projects with an automation-first mindset.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize distributed systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Support production environments and participate in resolving real-world operational challenges.
• Work closely with geographically distributed engineering teams in a collaborative environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree +7 years of related experience, or Masters +4 years of related experience, or PhD +1 year of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.
• Programming experience in C/C++ & Python required.
• Experience with AI-driven workflows and Agentic frameworks.
• Understanding of foundational AI concepts and machine learning algorithms.
• Experience working with Linux systems, networking fundamentals, operating system concepts, and container-based applications.
• Experience using modern AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor, Codex, Claude Code, or Devin

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing software for distributed systems or large-scale software platforms
• Certifications in AI/ML and Agentic workflows or equivalent.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, BGP, routing protocols, and switching
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced engineering environment.

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 $167,700.00 to $245,200.00 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. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

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. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. 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. The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below: New York City Metro Area: $167,700.00 - $282,000.00 Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $149,100.00 - $250,900.00 * 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.