Leader, Software Engineering

The application window is expected to close on 06/01/2026. Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

We are looking for candidates local to Milpitas, CA as this is a hybrid role requiring at least 3 days per week in the office.

The Cisco Distributed System Engineering (DSE) group leads innovation in building products that power the world’s largest networks. As the networking industry evolves to support AI/ML workloads and a growing internet user base, our team is uniquely positioned to drive this transformation. We leverage open-source technologies and push the boundaries of Systems and Silicon Architecture. Our solutions team works closely with large webscaler customers to replicate their networks and prepare software and hardware for deployment.

We operate in fast-paced sprints across Cisco’s product lineup, focusing on SONiC for web-scale environments, including AI/ML, routers, and switches.

As a Leader/Manager, you will guide an agile team responsible for designing, developing, and executing tests to qualify network performance for AI/ML capabilities. You will oversee end-to-end product testing and production support, ensuring high-quality deliverables in a dynamic environment. You will leverage your expertise in Python automation and testing frameworks such as PyTest to streamline and enhance testing processes. Your role includes fostering contributions to the open-source community to drive innovation.

• Leading technical discussions with customers to gather and clarify requirements.
• Overseeing the creation and maintenance of testing environments for system and solution validation.
• Driving the development and enhancement of test frameworks and benchmarking tools.
• Defining metrics and gathering data for network performance benchmarking.
• Leading troubleshooting efforts for customer issues.
• Managing projects and mentoring team members to foster growth and excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 8+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree in STEM with 6+ years, or PhD in STEM with 3+ years.
• 5+ years of experience in Python automation scripting.
• 3+ years of experience in configuring, testing, or debugging networking systems and solutions.
• Experience with PyTest or similar open-source QA automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of control and data plane technologies, including L2/L3 networking, BGP, ECMP, and VXLAN-based EVPN fabrics.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing teams.

• Experience with test frameworks and traffic generators (both commercial and open source).
• Prior experience in customer-facing roles.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams.
• Exposure to network operating systems, preferably SONiC (very nice to have).
• Familiarity with RDMA and HPC networks.
• Understanding of RoCE and Infini Band protocols.

The starting salary range posted for this position is $ to $. U.S. employees are offered benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.

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.