Leader, Software Engineering, Cygnus platforms

The application window is expected to close on: 04/13/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

The Cygnus team is at the heart of Cisco’s innovation, building the next‑generation Board Support Package (BSP) platform for high‑performance routing products powered by Silicon One. We function as a critical engineering hub, bridging the gap between hardware and software to enable rapid platform onboarding and production‑quality delivery. Our team is a collaborative, engineering‑driven group that values craftsmanship and continuous learning, working across NPI, BIOS, and application development.

We are particularly excited about our mission to modernize engineering through AI‑powered automation, fundamentally changing how routing platforms are brought to market. By joining us, you contribute to a high‑visibility, high‑impact environment that spans multiple product lines and hardware generations.

Lead three critical functions—Spitfire NPI, Common BIOS, and Cygnus Applications—to ensure the rapid, high‑quality delivery of Silicon One‑based routing platforms. Manage the engineering team, processes, and infrastructure to optimize the developer experience and accelerate platform bring‑up cycles. Drive the adoption of AI‑powered workflows and automation to transform manual, repetitive tasks into intelligent, self‑healing pipelines that improve quality and time‑to‑market. Champion a high‑performing culture by mentoring engineers and setting rigorous standards for quality, security, and performance across all work streams.

Deliver complex, multi‑functional projects that directly influence Cisco's Silicon One platform strategy and maintain our competitive edge in the routing industry.

• Bachelor's degree + 15 years of related experience, or Master's + 12 years of related experience, or PhD + 8 years of related experience.
• 4+ years of supervisory/management experience leading software engineering teams.
• Experience delivering software projects spanning multiple teams and functions.
• Programming experience with C and Python.
• Experience with CI/CD and build systems such as Jenkins or Git Hub Actions.

• Experience with network operating systems or embedded platforms (e.g., IOS‑XR, NX‑OS, SONiC).
• Familiarity with Board Support Package (BSP) development and hardware abstraction layers.
• Experience leading New Platform Introduction (NPI) programs in networking or hardware‑adjacent domains.
• Strong communication skills for cross‑team collaboration, stakeholder management, and executive‑level reporting.
• Ability to balance near‑term delivery pressure with long‑term engineering investment.

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.

The starting salary range posted for this position is $ to $ and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate’s hiring location, market conditions, job‑related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can…