Software Engineer

Cisco; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 103,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with Cisco matching

Paid parental leave

Short/long-term disability

Basic life insurance

Restricted stock units (RSUs)

Job summary

Cisco Silicon One is seeking a software engineer to join the team and develop the full software stack for network processors. You’ll collaborate with architecture, application, and design teams to shape the next generation of ASIC products and contribute to AI/ML initiatives.

The role emphasizes C++/Python development, embedded software, and close coordination with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration and high-performance routing and switching platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or a relevant field with 3+ years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in C++ programming language.
• Experience in the full software creation process (SDLC): requirement gathering, design, implementation, testing, debugging, and production

Responsibilities

• Design and develop software driving the world's most sophisticated infrastructures, using modern C++ and Python.
• Gain intimate knowledge of elite silicon and programming models.
• Work closely with hardware engineers, architects, and multi-functional teams to define software requirements and ensure seamless integration with hardware components.
• Conduct unit testing and debugging of embedded software, using various tools and methodologies to identify and resolve issues.
• Collaborate on the full software creation process, from requirement gathering to production deployment.
• Self-motivated, analytical, and effective at troubleshooting and optimizing embedded software

Skills

C++

SDLC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or a relevant field

Master’s degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/22/2026

Meet the Team

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 groundbreaking customers developing the next generation of world-class products, join us.

Your Impact

In this role, you’ll join a dynamic team that develops the full software stack for Silicon One network processors, engaging with the Open Standards community and our esteemed customers to deliver best-in-class routing and switching platforms. You’ll also work closely with architecture, application, and design teams to define the next generation of ASIC products and play a pivotal role in the emerging fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

• Design and develop software driving the world's most sophisticated infrastructures, using modern C++ and Python
• Gain intimate knowledge of elite silicon and programming models
• Work closely with hardware engineers, architects, and multi-functional teams to define software requirements and ensure seamless integration with hardware components
• Conduct unit testing and debugging of embedded software, using various tools and methodologies to identify and resolve issues
• Collaborate on the full software creation process, from requirement gathering to production deployment
• Self-motivated, analytical, and effective at troubleshooting and optimizing embedded software

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or a relevant field with 3+ years of relevant work experience, or a Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience
• Experience in C++ programming language
• Experience in the full software creation process (SDLC): requirement gathering, design, implementation, testing, debugging, and production

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Open Standard Network Operating Systems and APIs: Silicon SDK development, SONiC, FBOSS, SAI, etc.
• Experience with programming models for world-class silicon
• Experience writing scripts in Python
• Experience in AI/ML applications or infrastructure solution
• Experience with L2 / L3 networking technologies strongly preferred

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 $103,200.00 to $146,800.00 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

$125,700.00 - $203,100.00

Non-Metro New York State & Washington State

$111,700.00 - $180,800.00

• 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.