Software Engineer, SD-WAN Security

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. in RTP, North Carolina, is seeking a Software Development Engineer to strengthen the SD-WAN security fabric at scale.

You will design and implement firewall, IPS/IDS, and content filtering across routing platforms to enable secure connectivity for cloud and on-premises environments. You will collaborate with product managers and architects on roadmaps, write clean, tested code, and mentor junior engineers while using modern workflows including AI-assisted coding tools and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree + 5 years of related experience, or Master's + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
• Experience of C/C++ production programming, with a strong focus on developing efficient algorithms and optimized code.
• Experience or related coursework within Network Security domains and common deployment scenarios.
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools such as Copilot, Claude, Codex or similar technologies to improve engineering productivity and code quality.
• Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and embedded software development.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust security software for Cisco’s routing portfolio, supporting diverse deployment modes.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Architects on roadmaps and priorities to build the next-generation firewall features.
• Write clean, maintainable code with unit tests; perform code reviews and contribute to secure coding practices.
• Drive high-quality execution by distilling complex technical challenges into elegant, maintainable solutions; author functional and design specifications.
• Mentor and guide junior team members in a player-coach model, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.
• Use modern development workflows including AI‑assisted coding tools and VSCode.

Skills

C/C++ production programming

Network security

AI-assisted development tools

Debugging & troubleshooting

Embedded software development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Copilot

Claude

Codex

VSCode

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 10/26/2026

This is a hybrid role at the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina office.

Meetthe Team
The internet became a reality because of Cisco and its intelligent innovations in WAN engineering over multiple decades. Today, we are evolving our industry-leading, service-rich SD-WAN solution by building integrated multi-cloud and SASE solutions for our customers. Ourtechnologyprovidessecure connectivity for users and devices from anywhere in the world to their favorite applications—whether running in the cloud,on-premise,orSaaS.

We offer the opportunity to learn and innovate across a vast technology landscape, including Routing, Security, Analytics, Telemetry, Distributed Systems, Machine Learning, and many other areas. Join us and be part of a high-energy team helping transform and build the intelligent internet.

Your Impact
We areseekinga highly skilled Software Development Engineer to join our SD-WAN Security Engineering team, whichis responsible forsecuring the SD-WAN fabric thatoperatesgloballyata massive scale. In this role, you will work at the forefront of ground-breaking security technologies in enterprise routers that connect cloud infrastructure and applications. You willbe responsible fordeveloping and integrating advanced security features, including Firewall, IPS/IDS, Content Filtering, File Inspection, and various other next-generationfirewallcapabilities.

• Design and developrobust security software for Cisco’s routing portfolio, supporting diverse deployment modes.

• Collaborateclosely with Product Managers and Architects on roadmaps and priorities to build the next-generationfirewallfeatures.

• Write clean, maintainable codewith unit tests; perform code reviews and contribute to secure coding practices.

• Drive high-quality executionby distilling complex technical challenges into elegant, maintainable solutions; author functional and design specifications.

• Mentor and guidejunior team members in a player-coach model, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.

• Use modern development workflowsincluding AI‑assisted coding tools andVSCode.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.

• Experience of C/C++ production programming, with a strong focus on developing efficient algorithms and optimized code.

• Experience or related coursework within Network Security domains and common deployment scenarios.
• Experience withAIassisteddevelopmenttoolssuch asCopilot, Claude,Codexor similar technologies to improve engineering productivity and code quality.

• Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and embedded software development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience or related coursework in concepts such as Layer 3 and Layer 4 networking technologies and services.

• Experience working in cross‑functional and distributed teams.

• Ability to adapt quickly and deliver effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment with changing priorities and technologies.

• Demonstrated agility in learning new tools, technologies, and domains with strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

• Highly self-motivated with a passion for innovation and developing creative solutions.

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 $128,600.00 to $184,900.00 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:

$155,000.00 - $256,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$138,100.00 - $227,900.00

* 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.