
Job Information
Cisco Software Engineer - Layer 3 Forwarding in Milpitas, California
Meet the Team
The Cisco Distributed System Engineering (DSE) group is at the forefront of developing products that power the largest networks in the world. The networking industry is going through a massive transformation to build the next generation infrastructure to meet the needs of AI/ML workloads and continuously increasing internet users and application. We are uniquely positioned to capture that market transition. This team builds products by harnessing the potential of open-source technologies while pushing the boundaries on Systems and Silicon Architecture.
You will be working among engineers who are passionate about tackling complex technology, building large scale distributed systems and comfortable working with open-source communities and technologies. You will be part of a fast-paced work environment and responsible for end-to-end product development and production support.
Your Impact
By developing and maintaining platform adaptation layers, you will ensure seamless integration between SONiC and underlying hardware, enhancing the overall system compatibility and performance
Collaborating with hardware teams to enable optimal hardware-software interactions will expose hardware capabilities through SONiC interfaces, leading to improved system efficiency and performance
Writing, reviewing, and optimizing code for critical system modules will support high-performance data planes and control planes, ensuring robust and efficient software solutions
Learning about SONiC and ASIC capabilities will empower you to contribute more effectively to the team, eventually owning a particular feature and becoming responsible for its end-to-end development
Closely working with project managers, product managers, and test teams will facilitate the development of new code and the resolution of bugs, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances the team's productivity and innovation
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors + 7 years of related experience, or Masters + 4 years of related experience, or PhD + 1 year of related experience
Software development experience with Linux based platforms or other like network operating systems
Experience with C, or C++ or Python
Experience with networking protocols such as BGP, OSPF, VLAN, ACL, LACP or others.
Understanding of packet forwarding in network processing unit (NPU) or ASIC
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with virtualization, containerization, and orchestration frameworks
Knowledge of SDKs from major networking silicon providers (e.g., Broadcom, Marvell, Mellanox)
Exposure to SONiC or experience working with the SONiC open-source community
Understanding of telemetry systems and software-defined networking (SDN)
Experience in CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
Experience leading teams or technical projects in a complex development environment
#WeAreCisco
#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all. Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best. Cisco Confidential We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do! Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.