Senior Software Engineer, DPU Networking Software Stack

Cisco

Remote Hybrid

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: Milpitas, CA
Salary: $165,000–$241,400 / yr
Posted: 2 days ago
Closes: Jul 31, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $182k

This role $203k

$120k most similar roles pay here $254k

This role pays more than 68% of similar roles. Most pay $142,450–$222,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $203k versus about $182k 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 174 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $165,000–$241,400 across 174 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Software Engineer, DPU Networking Software Stack

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Cisco is seeking a senior software engineer to join its team developing a next-generation DPU-enabled networking platform for secure, high-performance infrastructure and large-scale AI clusters. The role involves designing foundational networking, security, and programmable services that integrate host systems, DPUs, SmartNICs, and cloud-scale control planes. Day-to-day responsibilities include exploring, prototyping, and building the software stack for DPU-accelerated host networking and network services, evaluating existing networking stacks, and defining APIs and operational workflows. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in Go, C/C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages, as well as practical knowledge of Linux networking, containers, virtualization, routing, DPDK, OVS, eBPF/XDP, iptables/nftables, namespaces, SR-IOV, and VF/PF models. The position requires expertise in building production-quality systems software for distributed security and AI infrastructure, with a focus on delivering line-rate performance and operational reliability across modern data center environments.

Skills

Go C/C++ Rust Python Linux networking Docker Kubernetes OVS DPDK eBPF/XDP tc iptables/nftables namespaces SR-IOV VF/PF API design CI/CD Git

What you'll do

Design software components that integrate DPU networking with host agents and security services.
Build production-quality systems software for network functions like firewall, policy enforcement, and observability.
Evaluate existing networking stacks to define architecture for scalable replacements or evolutions of current approaches.
Develop APIs, configuration models, operational workflows, and health checks for network service lifecycle management.
Debug issues across distributed control planes, host networking, DPU services, data paths, and production environments.
Mentor peers through technical design, code review, documentation, and cross-team guidance.

What we're looking for

7+ years of software engineering experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination
Proficient in Go, C/C++, Rust, Python for building production-quality systems software
Experience designing and implementing host networking services and control-plane integration
Practical knowledge of Linux networking, containers, virtualization, routing, DPDK, OVS
Ability to independently own features from design through delivery, including documentation
Familiarity with DPU or SmartNIC architectures and their integration into network platforms

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