Software Engineer, DPU Networking Stack

Cisco

Senior Software Engineer developing DPU-based packet-processing pipelines for secure networking infrastructure at Cisco. Collaborating on innovative solutions for modern data center environments.

Posted 6/5/2026full-timeMilpitas • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $165,000 - $241,400 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

GoLinuxPythonRust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and implement DPU-based packet-processing pipelines for security, host networking, and network services
Work with DPU SDKs, P4 or programmable pipeline models, and vendor-specific offload capabilities
Build capabilities for firewall policy enforcement, ACLs, packet classification, metering, telemetry, tunneling, routing, NAT, and load-balancing primitives
Develop software across DPU firmware/SDK interfaces, host drivers, Arm-side services, and user-space control components
Create portable abstractions across heterogeneous DPU and SmartNIC architectures while preserving platform-specific performance advantages
Debug complex issues across host, DPU, SDK, firmware, driver, kernel, and user-space boundaries

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of related experience, Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 1+ year
Proficient systems programming experience in C/C++, Go, Rust, Python, or similar languages
Experience building production networking, packet-processing, security, infrastructure, or systems software
Practical knowledge of Linux networking and debugging complex Linux-based systems
Ability to independently own medium-sized technical features from design through delivery

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
paid parental leave
short and long-term disability coverage
basic life insurance
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
unlimited vacation time for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

CC++GoRustPythonDPU programmingpacket processingLinux networkingfirmware developmentdebugging

Soft Skills

independent ownershiptechnical feature designdelivery management