Tech Lead - L2/L3 Forwarding & AI Networking

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 214,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Tech Lead for the Datacenter Switching team to advance high-performance networking software for AI and cloud-scale environments.

You will drive design, implement features for Nexus 9K switches, and work with cross-functional partners to deliver robust, scalable solutions. You will mentor senior engineers, influence architectural decisions, and champion secure coding practices while maintaining a focus on UX and customer outcomes.

Qualifications

• > Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of related experience, or Master’s with 8+ years, or PhD with 5 years.
• > Minimum of 5 years of experience in the networking domain.
• > Proficiency in C/C++ programming within a Linux environment.
• > Experience with L2/L3 forwarding concepts, with familiarity in Datapath architecture within ASICs.
• > Proven experience in feature development for network switches and routers.

Responsibilities

• Recognized as an expert within Cisco.
• Proactively identifies and participates in the resolution of complex problems that impact the direction of the business.
• Develops and delivers innovative strategies that benefit customers and/or clients.
• Leads major business projects which impact a region or entire function.
• Contributes to the development of annual organizational objectives/priorities.
• Builds and maintains long-term relationships with key customers to ensure products and services reflect the needs and direction of the business.
• Translates and influences the regional or functional strategic vision into a technical vision with clear engineering priorities, ensuring understanding and alignment across teams.
• May lead projects that span the business segment, function or region.
• May drive large features from technical design through completion.
• Leads the development and implementation of software development lifecycle and agile engineering strategies across applicable teams in anticipation of the changing software development environment.
• Influences technical direction and deliverables across the function.
• Recognizes and makes trade-offs with respect to the whole system and defines new product categories.
• Leads design choices within the context of all Cisco offerings.
• Drives product success through creating metrics and influencing product adoption and direction.
• Writes and sets the standard for functional clean code.
• Develops and drives utilization and support for processes for issue identification and sustainable response, proactive tooling, and continuous improvement for production systems.
• Industry or thought leader on scale, performance, or design patterns.
• May represent or present team outputs at external events.
• Communicates product or program priorities, deadlines, and shifts in requirements in the context of engineering priorities and user needs.
• Negotiates and drives trade-offs in timing, design, and specifications to meet the needs of users and cross-functional partners.
• Leads, mentors, and influences senior engineers.
• Improves knowledge sharing processes.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Networking domain experience

VXLAN/Overlay technologies

Python automation

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Tech Lead for the Datacenter Switching team to advance high-performance networking software for AI and cloud-scale environments.

You will drive design, implement features for Nexus 9K switches, and work with cross-functional partners to deliver robust, scalable solutions. You will mentor senior engineers, influence architectural decisions, and champion secure coding practices while maintaining a focus on UX and customer outcomes.