Software Engineer Embedded Systems I (Full Time) - United States

Engg; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking an early‑career software engineer to contribute to low‑level programming and hardware‑software integration in a San Jose, CA environment. You will engage with networking stacks, operating systems, and security infrastructure while delivering robust software solutions.

You should have strong C skills, embedded Linux familiarity, and hands‑on scripting experience with Python or Bash, plus CI/CD tooling. This role emphasizes collaboration and disciplined development practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
• Proficiency in C programming and embedded Linux fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of core networking principles and routing concepts.
• Experience with automation scripts (Python or Bash) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
• Understanding of DevSecOps practices within software workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for hardware-software integration.
• Enhance network performance and security across Cisco platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and participate in CI/CD pipelines.

Skills

C programming

Embedded Linux

Python

Bash

Networking fundamentals

CI/CD basics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's / Apprenticeship / Boot camp / Certification

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Jenkins

GitHub Actions

Job description

Meet the Team

Our dedicated team members are engineering the foundation of Cisco’s core technologies across the globe, including teams in Engineering like Common Hardware Group, Network Product Eng, Infrastructure & Security. You will be an essential contributor to the development of next-generation innovations in operating systems, firmware, networking stacks, and security infrastructure. Working on these teams, you will gain hands‑on experience with hardware-software integration and low-level networking technologies that power Cisco’s critical products. Discover the possibilities when deep technical expertise meets creativity and help build solutions that transform how the world connects and communicates.

Your Impact

You are a passionate engineer skilled in low-level programming, networking protocols, and hardware-software integration, with strong communication and collaboration abilities. You thrive in solving complex challenges through innovation and precision, while being highly organized and process-driven . Your work develops and maintains critical software and tools that ensure hardware compatibility, network performance, and security for Cisco’s core products like operating systems, firmware, and networking stacks. By effectively managing your time and streamlining processes, you deliver high-quality solutions that embed resilience and efficiency into global communications infrastructure, directly contributing to Cisco’s leadership in trusted, scalable networking technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

Meet one of the following (completed within the past 3 years or expected to be completed within the next 12 months ):

• A Bachelor's degree with 0 years of work experience ; or
• An educational or workforce development program (e.g., Associate’s, Apprenticeship, Boot camp, or Certification) with 1 year of work experience ; or
• High school diploma (or equivalent) with 2 years of work experience.

Qualifying education and work experience should be in should be in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.

Proficiency in C programming and experience working in embedded Linux environments, including a solid understanding of operating system fundamentals.

Working knowledge of core networking principles, routing protocols, and general network architecture concepts.

Hands‑on experience developing automation scripts (e.g., Python or Bash), utilizing CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions), and applying DevSecOps practices within software workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

Conceptual understanding or hands‑on experience with AI/ML. Understanding of cybersecurity principles and security protocols. Experience with FPGA development. Knowledge of signal and power integrity, and PCB design.

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

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 policie