Software Engineer Technical Leader, Network Data Plane

Cisco

Confirmed live yesterday High trust
Remote

Quick summary

Work type
Remote
Location
San Jose, CANorth DakotaMontanaMaineOhioNebraskaLouisianaTexasNevadaHawaiiGeorgiaMississippiConnecticutColoradoWyomingWisconsinWest VirginiaMarylandCaliforniaVermontNew YorkNew JerseyArkansasSouth DakotaPennsylvaniaMichiganIndianaIdahoArizonaNew MexicoNew HampshireKentuckyAlabamaSouth CarolinaIllinoisMissouriMassachusettsIowaTennesseeNorth CarolinaMinnesotaKansasAlaskaRhode IslandDelawareRTP, North CarolinaWashingtonVirginiaUtahOregonFloridaOklahoma
Salary
$214,100–$309,800 / yr
Employment
Full-time
Posted
3 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday
Closes
Nov 10, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $198k
This role $262k
$127k $329k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 92% of similar roles. Most pay $169,050–$227,300 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $262k versus about $198k 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 271 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $167,700–$245,200 across 195 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Software Engineer Technical Leader, Network Data Plane

Software Engineer Technical Leader – Network Data Plane – Hypershield joins the Security Innovation team to develop high-performance data plane software for Cisco Hypershield Smart Switches. This hands-on individual contributor role involves designing, developing, and optimizing software that leverages Data Processing Units to provide advanced networking, packet processing, and security capabilities. You will write production-quality code, troubleshoot complex software defects, and lead technical design discussions while collaborating with hardware and security engineering teams. The role requires proficiency in modern C/C++ on Linux-based systems, with deep knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols. Key technologies include DPDK, networking stacks, and programmable data plane technologies like P4. You will solve complex networking challenges to build scalable, reliable infrastructure for modern data centers and cloud environments.

What you'll do

  • Design, develop, and optimize high-performance data plane software using modern C/C++ on Linux-based systems.
  • Develop networking software for DPU-based Smart Switch platforms to enable scalable packet processing.
  • Troubleshoot complex software defects, networking issues, and customer-reported problems to improve reliability.
  • Lead technical design discussions and provide mentorship across the engineering organization.
  • Participate in architecture and code reviews to ensure production-quality systems software.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative networking and security capabilities.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field and 12+ years of related experience.
  • Master’s degree with 10+ years of related experience or a PhD with 7+ years of related experience.
  • 10+ years of professional software development experience using C or C++ in Linux environments.
  • Experience developing networking or data plane software with strong knowledge of Layer 2, Layer 3, and common networking protocols.
  • Experience developing or optimizing high-performance packet processing applications using DPDK, networking stacks, or similar technologies.
  • Experience designing, implementing, debugging, reviewing, and delivering production-quality systems software.
  • Experience developing software for DPUs, SmartNICs, network processors, or networking appliances (preferred).
  • Experience with P4 or other programmable data plane technologies (preferred).

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