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The application window is expected to close 2/27/2026. The job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This is an onsite role based in the San Jose, CA office. While the team may have hybrid days, this is at the discretion of the team and is subject to change at any time

Meet the Team

Join the Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI) team, a pivotal part of Cisco’s Silicon One networking software division. Our team is responsible for designing and implementing software interfaces that abstract hardware complexities for network switches. We are at the forefront of developing solutions that enable seamless scalability, performance, and integration with modern networking technologies.

As a senior technical leader in the SAI area, you will have the opportunity to influence the future of networking by working on open-source initiatives, driving innovation, and shaping the industry’s standards.

Your Impact

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead in the SAI domain and contribute to the design, development, and community engagement for Cisco’s networking solutions. You will drive architectural decisions and represent Cisco in the SAI open-source community, influencing the direction of networking technologies globally.

Your responsibilities will include:

+ Aligning SONiC switch model with SAI architectural goals.

+ Leading Cisco's involvement in the SAI open-source community and technical discussions.

+ Driving SAI software architecture and design principles and key infrastructure efforts, including debugging, serviceability, and performance optimization.

+ Designing and developing SAI software interfaces for network switches.

+ Mentoring team members and collaborating with hardware teams to ensure alignment with system capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related degree and 7+ years of experience in an Engineering role or Master's degree with 4+ years of related experience

+ Experience in C++ and Python.

+ Experience in algorithms and data structures.

+ Experience with networking protocols and technologies

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience in analytical reasoning and debugging, with practical experience in using tools such as GDB, PDB, etc.

+ Experience with cloud, data center, or edge networking products

+ Experience with writing and testing software for high performing and scalable networking products.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create 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.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create 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:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $165,000.00 to $241,400.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

+ 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

+ 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

+ Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

+ Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

+ 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next

+ Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

+ Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. 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 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$165,000.00 - $277,600.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$146,700.00 - $247,000.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.