Senior Software Engineer – C, Linux, Device Drivers, Networking

Overview

Cisco has revolutionized the internet through decades of innovation in WAN engineering, and we’re now reinventing WAN with sophisticated, controller-based software-defined solutions for intent-based networking. Our technology enables secure, reliable connectivity for users and devices to applications anywhere—cloud, on-premise, or SaaS. As part of the Catalyst Engineering Routing team, you'll help build industry-leading SD-WAN and edge routing platforms, working on scalable, distributed systems in areas like routing, security, analytics, telemetry, and machine learning.

Join our dynamic team to learn, innovate, and invent the future of intelligent networking in an open and collaborative environment.

Your impact

In this role, you'll work with cutting-edge SDWAN and edge routing technologies, helping to define and develop innovative features and architectures for next-generation routing products. You'll collaborate with teams on new ASIC designs, craft and test forwarding components, and contribute to creative projects in a dynamic engineering environment. Our team values collaboration, learning, quality, and customer impact. If you're passionate about problem-solving, driving change, and influencing network behaviour across cross-functional teams, this opportunity is for you.

Required Skills

We are seeking 5+ years of expert software developer in networking, focusing on platform and system software, device drivers, and performance engineering in Linux/UNIX environments.

• Strong C programming skills, with experience in large codebases, source code control systems, and device driver development.
• Proven understanding of LAN/WAN communication interfaces and Layer 2/Layer 3 networking technologies.
• Proficiency with hardware/software debugging tools (e.g., GDB, Arium, BDI or equivalent experience) and scripting/automation using Shell, Python, Perl, TCL
• Consistent record to develop, improve, and sustain embedded system software as part of multi-functional teams building innovative Cisco networking products.
  
  

• Expertise in kernel bring-up, driver development, and cloud networking.
• Skilled in debugging hardware interfaces (i2c, PCIe) and familiar with X86/ARM assembly; DPDK experience
• Strong communicator and teammate, delivering quality results in fast-paced environments.
  
  

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.