Software Engineer, Compute Performance

Cisco

. Analyze and improve the performance of AI compute systems across hardware, system software, and application workloads .

Posted 10/3/2026full-timeMilpitas • California • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $155,000 - $222,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in analyzing and optimizing AI compute systems, with a strong focus on performance testing, debugging, and collaboration across hardware and software teams. Proficient in utilizing GPU computing technologies and performance tools to enhance workload efficiency.

Highest-signal resume keywords

AI Workload EvaluationLinux System DebuggingGPU Computing TechnologiesPerformance Testing AutomationDistributed Workload Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

PythonCC++GoBashCUDAROCmNCCLNsightKubernetes

Soft Skills

Strong OwnershipDocumentation SkillsCross-Team Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

DCGMRocprofilerSlurmNVIDIA NVLinkNVSwitchAMD Infinity FabricXGMI

Industry Keywords

AI Compute SystemsHPC WorkloadsPerformance BottlenecksTelemetryWorkload Scaling

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

KubernetesLinuxPythonC++Go

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Analyze and improve the performance of AI compute systems across hardware, system software, and application workloads
Run and analyze AI training, inference, and HPC workloads on GPU-accelerated systems
Investigate compute, memory, PCIe, storage, and workload scaling issues
Use telemetry, logs, traces, and profiling tools to identify performance bottlenecks
Develop automation for performance testing, regression detection, and failure triage
Work with hardware and software teams to resolve system and workload performance issues
Document findings, test procedures, and performance results
Support Cisco Validated Infrastructure Services, which establishes and proves the performance of large AI clusters before customer handoff

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of related experience, or Master’s degree with 3+ years of related experience, or PhD with relevant research experience, or equivalent related work experience
Experience debugging, testing, or tuning Linux-based systems
Experience running or evaluating AI, machine learning, or HPC workloads
3+ years of experience with a programming or scripting language such as Python, C, C++, Go, or Bash
Familiarity with GPU computing technologies such as CUDA, ROCm, NCCL, or RCCL
Familiarity with performance tools such as Nsight, DCGM, rocprofiler, or similar tools
Understanding of GPU system components such as memory, NUMA, PCIe, and scale-up interconnects
Exposure to NVIDIA NVLink and NVSwitch or AMD Infinity Fabric/xGMI
Experience with Kubernetes, Slurm, or other distributed workload environments
Strong ownership, documentation, and cross-team collaboration skills

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
Paid employee birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid personal wellness days
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible 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 annually
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 policies