Senior Software Engineer, DPU Networking Software Stack

Cisco

Senior Software Engineer designing and building DPU-accelerated networking solutions at Cisco. Focused on software architecture and integration for high-performance networking systems.

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

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudDistributed SystemsGoLinuxPythonRust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Explore, prototype, and build the software stack for DPU-accelerated host networking and network services
Design platform components that integrate DPU networking, host agents, Cisco firewall services, policy systems, telemetry, and service lifecycle management
Build software for network functions such as firewall, policy enforcement, NAT, VTEP, load balancing, segmentation, observability, and service chaining
Evaluate networking stack options and help define the architecture for a scalable replacement or evolution of existing host networking approaches
Develop production-quality systems software in Go, C/C++, Rust, Python, or similar languages
Work across Linux networking, containers, virtualization, routing, OVS, DPDK, tc, eBPF/XDP, iptables/nftables, namespaces, SR-IOV, and VF/PF models
Define APIs, configuration models, operational workflows, upgrade behavior, health checks, and failure handling
Debug issues across distributed control plane, host networking, DPU services, data path, and production environments
Own well-scoped features from design through implementation, tests, rollout, operational documentation, and production support
Partner with product, security, platform, firmware, and operations teams to deliver customer-ready networking capabilities
Mentor peers through technical design, code review, documentation, and cross-team guidance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of related experience, Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 1+ year
Strong software engineering experience in Go, C/C++, Rust, Python, or similar infrastructure-oriented languages
Experience building production software for networking, infrastructure, distributed systems, security, or platform services
Practical knowledge of Linux networking, host networking, or cloud networking
Ability to independently own medium-sized features from technical 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
flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
additional paid time away may be requested for family emergencies
optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

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

GoC/C++RustPythonLinux networkingnetwork functionsAPIstelemetryservice lifecycle managementdistributed systems

Soft Skills

technical designcode reviewdocumentationcross-team guidanceindependent ownership

Certifications

Bachelor's degreeMaster's degreePhD