Title: Senior Software Engineer

What You'll Do

• Develop networking software solutions and platform capabilities for modular and fully distributed next generation Cisco Network Operation System that powers Cisco’s cutting-edge routing/switching systems
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product teams to develop a software from the conceptualization phase through to customer delivery.
• Implement products and features for large-scale systems that run complex code in high bandwidth environments, demonstrating strong communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to handle challenging high-priority tasks.
• Exhibit extreme motivation and passion for learning and contributing to the team and business with a "can do" attitude.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software defects in components that range from kernel modules to applications.
• Work closely with a cross-functional team on system and functional design and architecture of new features.
• Write specification documents and review and sign off on requirements documents.
• Commit to a higher standard of quality, even under time-to-market pressures

Who You'll Work With

You will be part of an energetic and dynamic development team. You will also work closely with Team Leads (TLs) and Principal Engineers (PEs) to define strategies for future products. Cisco is transforming the way we work, live, play, and learn.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate will possess outstanding project management, communication, and technical skills. You have the perfect mix of technical expertise with the Collaboration portfolio, and an outstanding ability to deal with critical customers in challenging situations. Project planning, implementation, and tracking are a must as we often work through both collaboration expansion and service improvement plans for customers affected by systemic issues. You will also have the ability to work cross-functionally; networking with engineers, leadership, account teams, support, sales teams, and customer success to ensure the customer issues are resolved holistically.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors with 6+ years, OR Masters with 4+ years of experience in a software development.
• Experience in Programming Languages like C, C++, Python
• Experience with Datapath technologies, including optics, PHY, and SerDes.
• Experience with Embedded Systems, Linux Kernel and Realtime OS fundamentals, Interrupt handling, Device driver development, Inter-process communication and Bus architectures: PCIe, I2C etc.
• Experience with optical networking technologies and components.

Preferred Requirements

• Expertise in SerDes technology, including design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with coherent optical technology, including coherent transceivers and related modulation formats.
• Strong understanding of physical layer protocols and technologies, including signal processing and modulation techniques.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and debugging the failures to root cause
• Strong understanding of software quality and processes.
• Familiarity with Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) standards and their application in network systems.
• Knowledge of Small Form Factor (SFF) standards, including SFP, QSFP, and other related specifications.
• AI/ML experience or knowledge is a plus.

Why Cisco

#WeAreCisco. We are all unique, but collectively we bring our talents to work as a team, to develop innovative technology and power a more inclusive, digital future for everyone. How do we do it? Well, for starters – with people like you!

Nearly every internet connection around the world touches Cisco. We’re the Internet’s optimists. Our technology makes sure the data traveling at light speed across connections does so securely, yet it’s not what we make but what we make happen which marks us out. We’re helping those who work in the health service to connect with patients and each other; schools, colleges, and universities to teach in even the most challenging of times. We’re helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect with their employees and customers in new ways, providing people with access to the digital skills they need and connecting the most remote parts of the world – whether through 5G, or otherwise.

We tackle whatever challenges come our way. We have each other’s backs, we recognize our accomplishments, and we grow together. We celebrate and support one another – from big and small things in life to big career moments. And giving back is in our DNA (we get 10 days off each year to do just that).

We know that powering an inclusive future starts with us. Because without diversity and a dedication to equality, there is no moving forward. Our 30 Inclusive Communities, that bring people together around commonalities or passions, are leading the way. Together we’re committed to learning, listening, caring for our communities, whilst supporting the most vulnerable with a collective effort to make this world a better place either with technology, or through our actions.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us! #WeAreCisco

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.