Software Engineering Technical Leader - Embedded Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an experienced engineer to architect and develop diagnostics for core and edge routing platforms.

This role focuses on kernel and user-space driver development for FPGA and networking peripherals, with emphasis on embedded systems and high-bandwidth data processing. You will collaborate with hardware, software, and product teams to validate prototypes, run rigorous tests, and lead technical reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field with relevant experience.
• Production-level code in C/C++ and Python required.
• Hardware and device driver development with Linux bring-up experience required.
• Embedded systems and device drivers for I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, GPIO exposure.
• Experience with multi-threading and state machines in high-bandwidth data processing.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and develop Diagnostics for Cisco Core and Edge routing products.
• Design, develop, and test kernel and user space device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.
• Develop and execute software test plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug prototypes and validate software.
• Lead technical reviews and discussions across teams.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Linux

Embedded systems

Device drivers

Multi-threading

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CS

Master's degree in related field

Tools

GDB

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 11/30/2026

This role requires working onsite in Milpitas, CA.

Meet the Team:

The Networking Hardware Engineering (NHE) group creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco's core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally.

NHE serves as the execution engine for Cisco's most strategic hardware initiatives. We partner across silicon, engineering, product management, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, and executive leadership to transform technology strategy into successful product delivery. Our mission is to provide program leadership, governance, transparency, and execution rigor across highly complex system development programs, shaping the future of hyperscale infrastructure

Your Impact:

• Architect, design, and develop Diagnostics for Cisco Core and Edge routing products.
• Design, develop, and test kernel and user space device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.
• Develop and execute software test plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug prototypes and validate software.
• Lead technical reviews and discussions across teams.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with atleast 8 years experience, or Master's degree with 6+ years experience.
• Prior experience developing production-level code in C, C++, and Python.
• Hardware and device driver development background, including experience with Linux hardware bring-up.
• Experience in developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems and device drivers for protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and/or GPIO.
• Prior experience implementing multi-threading, event handling, and state machines within embedded systems to support high-bandwidth data processing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Linux kernel debugging tools (GDB, KGDB) and advanced software troubleshooting.
• Experience developing software for large-scale, high-bandwidth networking or embedded systems.
• Knowledge of Layer 2/3 networking protocols, network processors, and optical networking technologies.
• Experience with system architecture, requirements definition, specification development, and design reviews.
• Familiarity with AI/ML, secure boot, CMIS, and optical transceiver standards (SFP/QSFP).
• Strong communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills with a focus on software quality and continuous improvement.

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 $186,900.00 to $267,700.00 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:

$186,900.00 - $307,800.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$166,300.00 - $274,100.00

* 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.