Meet the team:

Team: Mass-Scale Infrastructure Group (MIG) – Platform Forwarding

You will join the MIG Platform Forwarding team, the engine room behind the world’s most robust service provider networks. We build the high-performance data plane software that powers IOS-XR platforms, using innovative  Silicon One (SiOne)  Network Processing Units (NPUs).

Our team operates at the intersection of hardware and software, defining how packets traverse the internet's backbone. We are transitioning into a new era of embedded development, using modern AI-assisted methodologies to deliver features faster and with higher quality.

 

Your Impact:

As a Software Engineer, you will focus on the hands-on design, coding, and optimization of our forwarding software. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality code for complex L2 /L3 forwarding featurfeatures,uring they extract maximum performance from our NPUs. You will act as a key technical contributor, using modern software practices and AI-driven workflows to streamline development and debugging.

 

Responsibilities:

Feature Design & Implementation: Be responsible for the design and development of specific forwarding features within the IOS-XR platform. Write high-performance, production-grade code for QOS, Mirroring, Slowpath, OAM, Layer 2 (EVPN, VPLS) and  Layer 3 (SRv6, Segment Routing, MPLS) technologies.

NPU Data Plane Programming: Implement data plane logic to optimize packet processing. Translate network protocol requirements into efficient NPU microcode and SDK interactions.

Debugging & Root Cause Analysis:  Investigate and resolve complex software defects found during internal testing or customer deployments. Analyze logs, core dumps, and packet traces to distinguish between NPU behavior and software logic issues.

Performance Optimization: Profile and tune code to minimize latency and enhance throughput, ensuring the software meets strict service provider performance metrics.

Modern Development Practices: Actively use  AI/LLM-based tools for code generation, unit test creation, and static analysis to improve individual efficiency and code quality.

   

Requirements:

Embedded Development:  Strong proficiency in C/C++ for high-performance embedded systems. Proficiency in Python  for scripting and test automation.

NPU Familiarity:NPU-based data plane architectures (e.g., Broadcom DNX, Silicon One, or ezChip). Understanding of pipelining, table management, and packet processing flows.

Forwarding Protocols (L2/L3):  Strong understanding and implementation experience in Qos, Mirroring, OAM ,  Layer 2 (EVPN, VPLS) or Layer 3  routing (SRv6, Segment Routing, MPLS, IPv4/v6). Implementation experience with TE-Tunnels, GRE tunnels, BFD, BGP Flowspec, ACLs, or Slowpath forwarding mechanisms.

Network Knowledge & Debugging:

Service Provider Context: Understanding of router deployments in Service Provider networks (Core, Peering).

Technical Troubleshooting: Ability to debug issues at the component level, including hardware/software interactions and memory management.

Modern SDLC: Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git, and code review processes. Willingness to adopt  AI/LLM-based tools  to enhance coding efficiency and automated testing.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

·       BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

·       7-10 years  of experience in embedded software development for networking products.

·       Strong programming skills in  C/C++ and scripting in  Python

·       Solid knowledge of carrier-grade networking OS and forwarding architectures.

·       Experience debugging complex embedded software issues.

·       Experience working on tools such as Clearcase, Valgrind, DDTS, GDB, etc.

 

Preferred Qualifications

·       Experience with **IOS-XR** or similar carrier-grade network operating systems.

·       Knowledge of Internet Protocols (TCP/UDP, IPv4/IPv6).

·       Exposure to Networking Protocols (L2/L3, QoS, ACLs,).

·       Experience with BCM,  Sione,, Ezchip NPU programming

·       Familiarity with AI/ML tools for software engineering (e.g., Copilot for code, AI for log analysis).

 

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. 

Disclaimer

To ensure that we hire the best talent in the right way, we follow a strict hiring process and recently, Cisco has been made aware of fraudulent recruiters claiming to be from the company. Please be advised that any communication from Cisco about careers will:

• be in direct response to an application you have submitted through the company career site
• begin with screening or an interview
• originate from a Cisco email address, and
• be conducted across email, phone, or WebEx

 

Cisco will never make a job offer without conducting an interview process or ask you for money in any way. If you have been requested to apply for a role or have received an offer from a site other than https://careers.cisco.com or cisco.wd5.myworkday.com, do not provide any personal identifying information, including your Aadhaar or other personal identifying number, birth certificate, banking information, driver's license, or passport.

If you are the target of a recruiting scam, consider filing a report with your local law enforcement authorities. Cisco bears no responsibility, and cannot be held liable, for any claims, damages, expenses, or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to recruiting scams.