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

Meet the Team

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to join the Cisco 8000 router software team as a Senior C++ Software developer working on the Silicon One NPU forwarding ASIC SDK. The Cisco 8000 family of routers powers the internet and is deployed by all major AI/ML Hyperscaler networks. As the product family evolves, we are seeking talented software engineers to drive our continued innovation.

If you are passionate about developing world-class products that are changing the Internet and AI/ML networks and want to work with amazing people, we invite you to join us!

What You'll Do

• Develop software in C++ and Python for the Si One NPU SDK, which is central to the Cisco 8000 platforms. The Si One NPU family of ASICs is rapidly evolving with an ambitious roadmap.

• Add new capabilities to the SDK, enabling Cisco 8000 customers to expand and enhance their networks.

• Able to analyze feature requirements, be able to lead the software design, and implementation and test the new software features.

• Ability to work independently but receives guidance and direction from their SW leader but then determines the best approach to complete the work

• Quality driven and delivers high quality designs and code that is well tested

• Able to guide junior software developers, and if required lead small teams of SW teams as needed

• Validate software functionality on standalone SDK simulators and hardware boards before integration with the Cisco 8000 systems team.

• Support and maintain the existing SDK and NPU family as deployed on the Cisco 8000 platform.

• Collaborate with the current SDK software team, gaining in-depth knowledge of world-class silicon, programming models, and the Cisco 8000 platform.

• Collaborate as needed with Principle Software Engineers and ASIC leads on designs and solutions.

• Utilize AI tools to assist in software development and testing.

• Work cross-functionally with teams in the US, India, and Israel.

• Join a team of dedicated engineers with a proven track record of delivering industry-leading products for today's internet and AI/ML networks.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in software development, ideally in C++ embedded systems

• 5+ years in Object Oriented programming

• 5+ years working in a Linux environment.

• 3+ years working with networking technologies and concepts or a strong understanding of networking and packet forwarding

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded systems and working with network processing units (NPUs).

• Experience with routers, routing protocols, and packet forwarding.

• Experience with AI-powered coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Codex, Cursor AI, Windsurf).

Cisco may use AI Tools to review candidate-provided details—such as skills, experience, location, and education—to determine how closely candidates match job criteria. AI Tools are intended to guide and support the recruitment team in identifying and prioritizing candidates but are not used in isolation or without human judgment. For more information about Cisco’s use of AI please see the Job Candidate Privacy Statement found here.

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 $127,700.00 to $177,700.00 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 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:

$165,000.00 - $277,600.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$146,700.00 - $247,000.00

• 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.