Software Engineer – Cisco IOS-XE

Cisco

. Design, develop, and maintain high-quality code using C/C++ and Linux systems programming .

Posted 10/10/2026full-timeMilpitas • California • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $167,700 - $245,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in C/C++ programming and Linux systems, with a strong focus on system reliability, performance optimization, and mentoring. Proven ability to lead technical features from design to production while integrating Design Thinking principles for user-centric innovation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

C/C++ ProgrammingLinux Systems ProgrammingDistributed System ArchitectureTechnical WritingMentoring

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Memory ManagementConcurrencyMultithreadingPOSIX IPCSocketsProcess Lifecycle ManagementDebugging ToolsGDBLinux Tracing UtilitiesThreat Modeling

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationPresentationStakeholder Management

Tools & Technologies

Code Review ToolsSoftware PackagingInstallation Pipeline SolutionsIOS-XE

Industry Keywords

High-Availability EnvironmentsControl PlaneData Plane SeparationProduct InnovationUser-Centric Innovation

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

iOSLinuxSwitchingC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, develop, and maintain high-quality code using C/C++ and Linux systems programming
Lead technical features from conception through production delivery
Integrate Design Thinking principles into the software development lifecycle
Optimize system reliability and performance in high-availability environments
Mentor junior engineers
Collaborate across functional teams to advocate for product innovation
Identify technical risks early
Conduct rigorous code reviews
Develop software packaging and installation pipeline solutions for IOS-XE
Build modular and resilient upgrade solutions across enterprise routing, switching, IIOT, and wireless platforms

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree plus 7 years of related experience, Master’s degree plus 4 years of related experience, or PhD plus 1 year of related experience
Application of C for memory management, concurrency, and multithreading
Experience with Linux systems programming, including POSIX IPC, sockets, and process lifecycle management
Experience in distributed system architecture, specifically control plane and data plane separation
Experience with debugging tools including GDB, Linux tracing utilities, and post-mortem crash analysis
Ability to lead medium-scale technical features from initial design to production deployment
Experience mentoring peers and junior engineers
Technical writing, presentation, and stakeholder management
Experience with threat modeling and production monitoring
Ability to use Design Thinking for user-centric innovation

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies