Software Engineer- Simulation Models

020 Cisco Systems, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. in Milpitas, CA seeks a Software Engineer to define, design, and develop advanced simulation models for Cisco IOS XR and related platforms. You will build virtual board models, FPGA/ASIC integrations, and scalable distributed systems while contributing to AI fabric digital twins and open-source projects.

The role emphasizes C++ in Linux, CI/CD, and Python for test automation, with responsibilities spanning design, debugging, and deployment of high-fidelity simulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor + 5 years of related experience or Masters + 3 years or PhD + 0 years in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Two years of experience as a Software Engineer developing simulation models.
• Experience with system-on-chip (SoC) design and architecture.
• Experience developing software using C++ in Linux environments.
• Experience with CI/CD processes.
• Experience using Python for test automation.
• Experience debugging models, drivers, and operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Developing virtual board models for next-generation routing platforms.
• Modeling FPGA ASICs, devices, sensors, and related hardware components.
• Integrating hardware component models into virtual board environments.
• Designing, implementing, and optimizing simulation software and development tools.
• Developing digital twins of router and AI fabric products.
• Building and maintaining reliable, large-scale distributed systems.
• Developing automated tests and executing regression testing to validate end-to-end system functionality.
• Debugging simulation models, drivers, and network OS software.
• Providing timely technical support to engineering teams.
• Contributing to open-source projects and technologies.

Skills

C++ in Linux

CI/CD

Python scripting

Debugging

System modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE

MS/PhD in related field

Tools

SoC design tools

FPGA

Linux

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 11/07/2026

Meet the Team

We develop advanced simulation platforms and digital twins that mirror complex IOS-XR routing environments for scalable, high-fidelity network validation. Our team bridges the gap between software engineering and field deployment by automating CI/CD testing pipelines and providing robust virtualization tools for developers and customers. We are dedicated to pioneering the future of network reliability through high-speed simulation, ensuring seamless performance across the most demanding service provider infrastructures.

Your Impact

You will define, design, develop, test, debug, release, enhance, and maintain software that accelerates the development of Cisco IOS XR and SONiC. You will lead the implementation and optimization of simulation software and tools, develop digital twins for routing and artificial intelligence (AI) fabric products, and build large-scale distributed systems. In this role, you will apply advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to create functional, system-level models for next-generation routing platforms. You will also have opportunities to contribute to open-source technologies and communities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing virtual board models for next-generation routing platforms.
• Modeling field-programmable gate array (FPGA) application‑specific integrated circuits (ASICs), devices, sensors, and related hardware components.
• Integrating hardware component models and packet-processing models into virtual board environments.
• Designing, implementing, and optimizing simulation software and development tools.
• Developing digital twins of router and AI fabric products.
• Building and maintaining reliable, large-scale distributed systems.
• Developing automated tests and executing comprehensive regression testing to validate end-to-end system functionality.
• Debugging simulation models, device drivers, and network operating system software.
• Providing timely and effective technical support to engineering teams.
• Contributing to relevant open-source projects and technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Two years of experience as a Software Engineer developing simulation models
• Experience with system-on-chip (SoC) design and architecture.
• Experience developing software using C++ in Linux environments.
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) processes.
• Experience using Python for test automation.
• Experience debugging models, drivers, and operating systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing functional or system-level simulation models.
• Experience modeling FPGAs, ASICs, sensors, or other hardware devices.
• Experience integrating packet-processing models into virtual platforms.
• Experience building large-scale distributed systems.
• Experience with Cisco IOS XR, SONiC, or comparable network operating systems.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience developing networking software.
• Experience with chip modeling and performance analysis.

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 $155,000.00 to $222,600.00 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.
• 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: $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.

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.