Senior Software Engineer, Simulation & Infrastructure

  • Location:
    Milpitas, California, US
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    157400 USD - 222200 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Networking, Software Development
  • Job Id
    1436622
The application window is expected to close on: 4/25/2025
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. 
 
Meet the Team 

The Simulation & Infrastructure Team at Cisco is dedicated to developing innovative software tools designed to enhance engineering productivity across routing and switching platforms through groundbreaking technologies. Our small, highly entrepreneurial team delivers digital twins of our most complex platforms, offering a comprehensive ecosystem. This includes high-performance Silicon One data plane simulation, modular chassis simulation, network topology orchestration, CI/CD automation, and associated compute infrastructure. Our customers comprise internal development and testing teams, customer engagement teams, and external global ISPs and hyperscalers. Join us and be part of shaping the future.
 
Your Impact 

As a Software Engineer for Simulation & Automation, on the Cisco 8000 team, you will be responsible for leading, implementing, and optimizing simulation software and tools used in accelerating our IOS-XR & SONIC development. You will work with Silicon One ASIC, SDK, and Network software teams to create digital twins of our router and AI fabric products.  You will work on some of the following:
  • Work on our simulation platform and virtual routers that support our Cisco 8000 platform. 
  • Collaborate with Silicon One ASIC, SDK, and Network software teams to develop and enhance data-plane simulation software, ensuring accurate digital twins of router and AI fabric products.
  • Optimize code, tuning code, complete performance analysis and work on backend compilers.
  • Tackle complex technology, building large scale distributed systems, and contributing to open-source communities and technologies. 
Minimum Qualifications: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field of study with 7 + years of relevant experience or a Master’s Degree with 4 + years of experience in a related field of work. 
  • Experience developing software for routing and switching planforms.
  • Networking protocols and data-plane experience (BGP, MPLS, TCP/IP, OSPF, RIP, IPv4, IPv6, etc.)
  • Ability to program in C or C++ with experience writing test scripts, preferably with Python.
Preferred Qualifications: 
  • Experience with implementing and deploying simulators or virtualization tools.
  • Experience in compiler development, including backend compiler design, code generation, and code optimization. Proficient in writing P4 NLP for converting P4 into C++.
  • Experience with Linux or other like network operating systems. 
  • Excellent problem-solving, debugging and analytical skills.
  • High level of work autonomy and sense of responsibility.
 
#WeAreCisco 
#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!  

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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