Principal Software Engineer

Cisco

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Closes in 7 days Remote

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: Milpitas, CA
Salary: $231,400–$331,800 / yr
Posted: 57 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Closes: Sep 18, 2026 (soon)
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $200k

This role $282k

$120k most similar roles pay here $354k

This role pays more than 92% of similar roles. Most pay $174,600–$225,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $282k versus about $200k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Cisco

Cisco Systems is the world''s leading networking technology company, designing and manufacturing networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and cybersecurity solutions for businesses and governments. Industry: Networking Technology & Cybersecurity

Cisco currently has 196 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $167,700–$245,200 across 196 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

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As a Principal Software Engineer within the Common Hardware Group, you will architect and develop BIOS, BSP, and diagnostics for core and edge routing products. Your daily responsibilities include designing, developing, and testing device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals while executing software test plans to validate prototypes. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug systems and provide expert consultation on complex technical issues. The role requires proficiency in C, C++, and Python for embedded systems, alongside experience in Linux hardware bring-up, multi-threading, and state machine implementation. You will work with technologies such as Sonic, ONIE, BMC, IPMI, Redfish, and protocols like I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and GPIO. The work focuses on solving technical challenges in high-bandwidth systems involving network processors, optical networking, secure-boot, and Layer 2/3 network protocols.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C C++ Python Embedded Systems Linux Device Drivers BIOS BSP Sonic ONIE BMC IPMI Redfish I2C SPI UART PCIe GPIO GDB KGDB Secure-boot

What you'll do

Architect and develop BIOS, BSP, and diagnostics for Cisco's core and edge routing products.
Design, develop, and test device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.
Develop and execute comprehensive software test plans to ensure product reliability.
Debug prototypes and validate software in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Perform Linux hardware bring-up and troubleshoot defects from kernel modules to applications.
Provide expert technical consultations and lead the development of solutions from concept to delivery.
Manage board bring-up, validation, and debugging for high-bandwidth embedded systems.

What we're looking for

Hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 15+ years of experience.
Hold a Master's degree with 12+ years of experience.
Proficiency in C, C++, and Python programming for embedded systems.
Experience in hardware and device driver development, including Linux hardware bring-up, multi-threading, event handling, and state machine implementation.
Experience with Sonic, ONIE, BMC, IPMI, and/or Redfish technologies.
Skill in developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems using I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and GPIO protocols.
Proficiency in kernel debugging tools such as GDB and KGDB.
Knowledge of Layer 2/3 network protocols, network processors, optical networking, secure-boot, CMIS, and SFF standards.