Software Engineer – Technical Leader, Network Data Plane

Job Description:

• Design, develop, and optimize high-performance data plane software using modern C/C++ on Linux-based systems
• Develop networking software for DPU-based Smart Switch platforms
• Enable scalable packet processing and advanced security capabilities
• Troubleshoot complex software defects, networking issues, and customer-reported problems
• Improve performance, scalability, and reliability
• Lead technical design discussions
• Participate in architecture and code reviews
• Provide technical mentorship across the engineering organization
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and security engineering teams
• Work across the full software development lifecycle, from technical design and implementation to debugging, performance optimization, code reviews, and customer issue resolution

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field and 12+ years of related experience, or Master’s degree with 10+ years, or PhD with 7+ years of related experience
• 10+ years of professional software development experience using C or C++ in Linux environments
• Experience developing networking or data plane software
• Strong knowledge of Layer 2, Layer 3, and common networking protocols
• Experience developing or optimizing high-performance packet processing applications using DPDK, networking stacks, or similar technologies
• Experience designing, implementing, debugging, reviewing, and delivering production-quality systems software
• Preferred: experience with DPUs, SmartNICs, network processors, or networking appliances
• Preferred: experience with P4 or other programmable data plane technologies
• Preferred: experience contributing to networking architecture, systems software design, or large-scale distributed networking solutions
• Preferred: experience working across cross-functional or geographically distributed engineering teams

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• Paid birthday day off
• Paid year-end holiday shutdown
• 4 paid days off for personal wellness
• 16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
• Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st
• Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
• Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
• Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies