Software Engineer – Technical Leader, Network Data Plane

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +45 more states.

📋 Description

• Design, develop, and enhance high-performance data plane software utilizing modern C/C++ on Linux-based systems.

• Create networking software for DPU-based Smart Switch platforms.

• Facilitate scalable packet processing and implement advanced security features.

• Diagnose intricate software defects, networking challenges, and issues reported by customers.

• Enhance performance, scalability, and reliability.

• Lead discussions on technical design.

• Engage in architecture and code reviews.

• Offer technical mentorship throughout the engineering organization.

• Collaborate with software, hardware, and security engineering teams.

• Navigate the complete software development lifecycle, from technical design and implementation to debugging, performance optimization, code reviews, and resolution of customer issues.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 12+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 10+ years, or a PhD with 7+ years of relevant experience.

• Over 10 years of professional software development experience with C or C++ in Linux environments.

• Experience in developing networking or data plane software.

• Strong understanding of Layer 2, Layer 3, and common networking protocols.

• Experience in developing or optimizing high-performance packet processing applications using DPDK, networking stacks, or analogous technologies.

• Experience in designing, implementing, debugging, reviewing, and delivering production-quality systems software.

• Preferred: experience with DPUs, SmartNICs, network processors, or networking appliances.

• Preferred: familiarity with P4 or other programmable data plane technologies.

• Preferred: experience in contributing to networking architecture, systems software design, or large-scale distributed networking solutions.

• Preferred: experience collaborating across cross-functional or geographically distributed engineering teams.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.

• Paid parental leave.

• Coverage for short- and long-term disability.

• Basic life insurance.

• Potential availability of Cisco restricted stock unit grants.

• 10 paid holidays for each full calendar year.

• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.

• Paid day off for birthdays.

• Paid holiday shutdown at year-end.

• 4 paid days off dedicated to personal wellness.

• 16 days of paid vacation annually for non-exempt employees.

• Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees.

• 80 hours of sick time off provided upon hire and each January 1st.

• Up to 80 hours of unused sick time can be carried forward.

• Additional paid time off for critical or emergency family matters.

• Optional 10 paid volunteer days for each full calendar year.

• Annual bonuses available for non-sales roles, in accordance with Cisco policies.