Senior Software Engineer, Platform Infrastructure, San Jose, CA

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  • Location:
    Milpitas, California, US
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    165000 USD - 241400 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Software Development
  • Job Id
    1446347

Meet the Team


Join Cisco’s MIG Routing team group at the forefront of developing the innovative technologies that keep the world’s largest networks running. As part of our team, you’ll collaborate with industry-leading engineers who are passionate about solving complex technical challenges and setting new benchmarks for performance and reliability. The MIG Routing team is known for its supportive culture, commitment to continuous learning, and its direct impact on the evolution of global connectivity. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to work on transformative projects that shape the backbone of the internet and drive Cisco’s leadership in the networking industry.


Your Impact


This is your chance to play a central role in building the software that powers Cisco’s most advanced networking systems. You’ll be hands-on from day one—designing, developing, and delivering the next-generation Network Operating System that supports some of the world’s largest and most complex networks. You’ll see your work make a real difference, from concept to launch, and tackle unique engineering challenges in high-bandwidth environments. Whether you’re collaborating on new features, solving critical software issues, or helping define technical architecture, you’ll be an essential part of a team that values your ideas and expertise.


  • Develop networking software solutions and platform capabilities for Cisco’s modular and distributed next-generation Network Operating System
  • Work with engineering and product teams to move projects from concept through delivery
  • Implement products and features for large-scale systems that run complex code in high bandwidth environments
  • Troubleshoot and resolve software defects in components ranging from kernel modules to user-space applications
  • Partner with cross-functional teams on system and feature design and architecture

Minimum Qualifications


  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 6+ years OR Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience in software development
  • C, C++, and Python experience
  • Hands-on experience with embedded systems, Linux, Realtime OS fundamentals, interrupt handling, device driver development, inter-process communication, and bus architectures (PCIe, I2C, etc.).
  • Experience with Datapath technologies, including optics, PHY, and SerDes
  • Experience with optical networking technologies and components
  • Experience in writing test automation software for software unit testing.


Preferred Qualifications


  • Experience in SerDes technology (design, implementation, troubleshooting).
  • Experience with coherent optical technology, including transceivers and modulation formats.
  • Understanding of physical layer protocols, signal processing, and modulation techniques.
  • AI/ML knowledge is a plus for innovating daily workflows
  • Experience using AI tools for improved software development productivity and effective troubleshooting
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis abilities.

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. Simply put – we power the future.

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:

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.

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