Software Engineer - Forwarding Plane

Cisco

Milpitas, CA

Full Time

Senior

about 2 months ago

Job Description

About the Role

The Cisco Distributed System Engineering (DSE) group is at the forefront of developing products that power the largest networks in the world. The team builds products by harnessing open-source technologies while pushing the boundaries on Systems and Silicon Architecture. You will be working among passionate engineers on large-scale distributed systems, responsible for end-to-end product development and production support, in a fast-paced environment that emphasizes innovation and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Developing and maintaining platform adaptation layers to ensure seamless integration between SONiC and underlying hardware, enhancing system compatibility and performance.
Collaborating with hardware teams to enable optimal hardware-software interactions and expose hardware capabilities through SONiC interfaces.
Writing, reviewing, and optimizing code for critical system modules to support high-performance data and control planes, ensuring robust and efficient software solutions.
Learning about SONiC and ASIC capabilities to contribute effectively, eventually owning specific features and managing their end-to-end development.
Working closely with project managers, product managers, and test teams to develop new code and resolve bugs, fostering a collaborative environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of related experience, or Master's plus 4 years, or PhD plus 1 year of related experience.
Software development experience with Linux-based platforms or similar network operating systems.
Proficiency in C, C++, or Python programming languages.
Experience with networking protocols such as BGP, OSPF, VLAN, ACL, LACP, or others.
Understanding of packet forwarding in network processing units (NPUs) or ASICs.

Nice to Have

Experience working with virtualization, containerization, and orchestration frameworks.
Knowledge of SDKs from major networking silicon providers (e.g., Broadcom, Marvell, Mellanox).
Exposure to SONiC or experience working with the SONiC open-source community.
Understanding of telemetry systems and software-defined networking (SDN).
Experience in CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
Experience leading teams or technical projects in complex development environments.

Qualifications

Educational background as specified in the requirements (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD with related experience).

Benefits & Perks

Competitive salary with potential bonuses based on performance.
Quality medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
Short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance.
Paid time off including up to twelve holidays, vacation, sick leave, and volunteer time.
Flexible work environment supporting hybrid work trends.

Working at Cisco

Cisco values diversity, inclusion, and belonging, fostering a culture where every individual’s unique skills and perspectives are celebrated. The company encourages learning and development at every stage, supports hybrid work, and promotes community engagement through employee resource organizations and volunteer programs. Cisco aims to power an inclusive future for all through innovative technology and a collaborative, supportive work environment.

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