Software Engineer, CX Engineering

Cisco Systems, Inc.; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with Cisco match

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

RSU grants

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer to lead design, development, and delivery of scalable software across cloud-native and on‑premises architectures.

The role emphasizes UX, secure coding, AI-enabled applications, and collaboration across teams in a hybrid setup in Research Triangle Park, NC. The candidate will drive end-to-end implementation, apply AI tools and frameworks, and mentor teams while operating within an agile SDLC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of related experience, or master’s degree with 4+ years, or PhD with 1+ year.
• Proficiency in Python and Node.js.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks, generative AI, and large language models.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the SDLC, agile methodologies, secure coding, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) with Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Develop software focusing on simplification, user experience (UX), secure coding practices, and user privacy.
• Leads delivery of high-quality design of features and deliverables.
• Lead or contribute to medium to complex projects or features from technical design through completion, driving results with minimal guidance.
• Develops and maintains AI-enabled applications, leveraging AI tools, frameworks, and agents to enhance product capabilities.
• Employs AI-enhanced development tools such as GitHub Copilot and AI code generation frameworks to accelerate development.

Skills

Python

Node.js

AI/ML frameworks

Cloud platforms

Kubernetes

Secure coding practices

Agile methodologies

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS or related field

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/19/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This role follows a hybrid work model, with in-office attendance expected 2-3 times a week in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Meet the Team

At Cisco, we are redefining how our customers experience technology through the power of Cisco IQ Services and Applications. Our mission is to transform CX delivery by building intelligent, scalable platforms that anticipate needs rather than just reacting to them. As a member of our global, diverse, and AI-spec driven team, you will operate at the absolute frontier of innovation. We are deeply committed to leveraging the latest advancements in AI to build robust solutions that solve complex technical challenges for our enterprise customers, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and rapid iteration.

Your Impact

We are seeking a Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable software solutions, driving end-to-end implementation across complex cloud-native and on-premises architectures.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop software focusing on simplification, user experience (UX), secure coding practices, and user privacy.
• Leads delivery of high-quality design of features and deliverables.
• Lead or contribute to medium to complex projects or features from technical design through completion, driving results with minimal guidance.
• Develops and maintains AI-enabled applications, leveraging AI tools, frameworks, and agents to enhance product capabilities.
• Employs AI-enhanced development tools such as GitHub Copilot and AI code generation frameworks to accelerate development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of related experience, or master’s degree with 4+ years, or PhD with 1+ year.
• Requires solid conceptual and practical knowledge in primary technical job family and knowledge of related technical job families; has worked with a range of technologies.
• Proficiency in Python and Node.js programming languages.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks, generative AI, and large language models.
• Comprehensive expertise in the software development lifecycle, agile methodologies, and secure coding practices, integrated with hands‑on experience in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and Kubernetes container orchestration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading complex software projects and mentoring teams.
• Knowledge of AI ethics, responsible AI use, and AI governance principles.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering and AI model customization.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (Ansible, Terraform), and network automation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work across diverse teams.

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 $139,300.00 to $203,600.00 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. 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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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.