Meet the Team
Cisco s Distributed Systems Engineering (DSE) team builds the foundational software that powers the world s largest, most fast paced data centers. The PI-Common team
is at the core if this, as we build the routing protocols and infra, that are the heart of data centers. As AI/ML workloads explode and cloud-scale infrastructure becomes the norm, the industry is transforming and Cisco is owning the way.
Our NX-OS operating system, running on industry-leading Cisco Nexus switches, delivers the performance, programmability, and reliability needed for modern data center networks. At DSE, we combine open-source innovation, deep systems engineering, and hardware-software co-design to build platforms that scale globally and evolve rapidly.
We re looking for hard-working engineers who thrive on solving sophisticated problems, building distributed systems, and working hands-on with real-world infrastructure.
Your Impact
You ll be part of a high-performing team driving innovation across Cisco s data center portfolio, which includes Nexus 9000 series switches, NX-OS, and technologies like Routing Protocols, Routing Infra, Virtualization, VXLAN EVPN, segment routing, and telemetry. You ll engage closely with senior engineers, architects, and open-source communities, influencing product direction and technical strategy.
Minimum Qualifications (Provide up to five (5) bullet points
- B.E./ BTech in Computer Science, ECE, or a related field
- 4 8 years of software development testing experience
- Strong proficiency in Python Scripting
- In-depth understanding of routing protocols such as OSPF, ISIS, MCAST, EIGRP, Segment Routing
- Solid grasp of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, multicast, switching, forwarding)
- Experience working with or developing for NX-OS or similar network operating systems
- Familiarity with YANG, SNMP, or model-driven telemetry
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Preferred Qualifications (Provide up to five (5) bullet points:
- Exposure to data center protocols such as Routing, VXLAN, EVPN, or segment routing,
- Exposure to open-source tools, network automation, or configuration frameworks
- Prior experience building infrastructure at scale
- Cisco PYATS hands-on experience
- Basic of AI/ML and Exposure to AI tools for network automation
#WeAreCisco
At Cisco, we re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era and beyond. We ve been innovating confidently for 40 years to build 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. Simply put we power the future.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and build 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.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidates hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.
Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
