Software Engineering Technical Leader

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

The application window is expected to close on: 3/13/2026. The job posting may be removed if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Cisco Silicon One is the center of Cisco’s ASIC design and is driving the development of next-generation network devices for the AI/ML era. Our outstanding team works in a startup atmosphere within a stable and leading corporate environment, and our design center hosts all silicon Hardware and Software development fields under one roof.

You will collaborate with Customers, Partners, and Silicon One software and hardware teams to synchronize development, test and support activities, and align on product roadmaps and features. You will also manage and mentor a local team in North America. Expect to engage with various internal teams within Cisco to gather requirements, deliver solutions, and support the integration of SAI and SDK functionalities, including working closely with the rest of our Core ASIC Group (CAG). Additionally, you’ll collaborate with leaders across different functions within the organization to drive projects forward and ensure alignment with broader business objectives.

Your interactions will also include Hardware Engineering, Product Management/Marketing, Product Operations, Global Supplier Management (GSM), External Vendors/Suppliers, Manufacturing Operations, and EMS/JDM partners.

If you want to work with amazing people and cutting-edge customers developing the next generation of world-class products, join us.

Your Impact

As a Software Engineering Technical Leader for the Silicon One Customer Engineering team, you will be a part group of software engineers in North America and collaborate closely with our customers in North America and Silicon One Engineering teams in the USA and Europe. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your expertise in cutting-edge Cisco infrastructure products while contributing as a collaborative teammate with strong communication skills and a positive attitude. If you are someone who enjoys self-learning, is eager to embrace new challenges, and can quickly adapt to new domains, we’d love to have you on board. 

• You will be working very closely with internal engineering teams including Software, Hardware, and the Systems Software team and external partners/vendors/customers.  

• Develop, Analyze and debug Cisco’s next generation Silicon One Software. 

• Interact and work closely with Cisco System product development teams to develop and debug datapath applications. 

• Interact and work closely with external partners, vendors, and customers to develop, debug and support Silicon One software. 

• Work multi-functionally to drive the SW/HW system integration and testing. 

• Work on networking protocols for switch/router and infrastructure products. 

• Modify and add new and specific software enhancements. 

• Contribute to adding more tests and debugging capabilities to ensure solution and system quality. 

• Translate specialized knowledge of ASIC innovative architecture to Cisco product development teams. 

• Provide guidance and support (including documentation) for Silicon One Customers. 

• Contribute to the next generation of leading infrastructure products. 

As with a strong background in software development you will leverage your comprehensive understanding of software development, networking protocols, and hardware integration. Your excellent communication and problem-solving skills enable you to approach issues creatively and effectively, while your proactive management style is marked by exceptional organizational abilities, leadership, accountability, and transparency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE, or a related technical field and 12+ years of software development experience, OR Master’s degree and 8+ years of related experience.

• 5+ years experience managing software engineering teams.

• Experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Python, or Java.

• Experience with networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, Ethernet) and network architecture.

• Experience with agile development methodologies and software project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SONiC, SAI or another Network OS.

• Experience specifically with Software Development Kits (SDKs) and their application in networking.

• Prior work with large-scale software systems and distributed computing.

• Certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), CSM (Certified ScrumMaster), or Cisco Certifications (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE).

• Experience leading projects that involve complex system integration and customization.

• Experience in working with hardware teams, quality assurance, and customer support to deliver end-to-end solutions.

#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.

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!

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:

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 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:

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

* 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.