Software Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, DevOps

This is a hybrid role at the RTP, NC office.

Meet the Team

The Cisco Enterprise Routing team is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of the platforms that serve as the "connective tissue" for businesses worldwide. Their work ensures that data—ranging from simple office emails to high-bandwidth video conferencing and cloud-based applications—moves securely and efficiently across branch offices, campus networks, and multi-cloud environments.

We are seeking a highly skilled Software Development Engineer to join our team focused on the development of Cisco’s new generation Secure Routers. You will be responsible for development across many software layers including low-level drivers, advance networking protocols, high-performance packet forwarding, modern cryptographic security, AI-driven features, modern CPU architecture, and system optimizations for scale and performance.

• Design and deliver features across the routing stack, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.
• Integrate hardware and software by bringing up new platforms
• Debug complex issues across hardware, firmware, and software layers.
• Develop low‑level platform software including bootloaders, device drivers, and forwarding‑plane components.
• Write clean, maintainable code with unit tests; perform code reviews and contribute to secure coding practices.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with hardware, product, and design teams; mentor peers and interns.
• Lead small to medium features and contribute to roadmap execution.
• Use modern development workflows including AI‑assisted coding tools and VSCode.

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience.
• C/C++ systems programming in embedded or Linux- based environment.
• Understanding of Operating systems and network models including L2/L3 protocols (Ethernet, VLANs, STP, IP, NAT, FW).
• Debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and software layers.

• Experience with AI‑assisted development tools (Copilot, Claude, Codex). Our development is integrated with AI-tools for code development, code review, bugs triaging, unit-test plan generation, and documentation.
• Development with device drivers, RTOS/Linux kernels, and hardware–software interfaces.
• Familiarity with modern IDEs and tools.
• Knowledge of hardware-based bring up including system initialization, secure boot chains, and OS level bootstrapping.
• System memory and performance optimization.
• Experience working in cross‑functional and distributed teams.