Level

Cisco

Software Engineer (C and Python, Linux OS, networking domain, L2/L3 forwarding protocols| 4-9 Years))

AI in this role

Software Engineer designing and optimizing subscriber forwarding paths while using modern AI-driven development practices.

cpythonlinux
embedded-systemsnetworkingl2-l3-protocolspacket-forwardingai-assisted-development

Meet the Team

The Cisco BNG User Plane team builds the carrier-grade subscriber data path on IOS-XR routing platforms (Cisco 8000, ASR 9000) powered by Cisco Silicon One (SiOne) NPUs.

We deliver the cnBNG User Plane Functions (UPFs) and integrated BNG forwarding — the high-performance packet path that terminates and forwards millions of broadband subscriber sessions at line rate in the CP-UP separated (CUPS) architecture.

We operate at the intersection of hardware and software, value automation-first engineering and continuous learning, and responsibly embrace AI-assisted development practices.


Your Impact

As a Software Engineer on the BNG User Plane, you will design, code, optimize, and validate the subscriber forwarding path on Silicon One UPFs and its interworking with the cnBNG Control Plane.

You will deliver high-performance L2/L3 and subscriber features, own their unit/integration/system/scale testing and automation, and drive quality from design through FCS.

You will mentor junior engineers and use modern AI-driven workflows to streamline development, testing, and debugging.


Minimum Qualifications

  • 4-9 Years of Experience along with Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/EC or technical equivalent.
  • Strong programming in C/C++ for high-performance embedded systems; Python for test automation and scripting.
  • Proven understanding of GenAI capabilities and AI-powered software development
  • Sound knowledge of operating system concepts, computer networking, multithreaded programming and system programming on UNIX based systems

Preferred Qualifications

  • Broadband/subscriber protocols: PPPoE, IPoE, DHCPv4/v6, PPP, RADIUS/CoA, L2TP.
  • Experience configuring and troubleshooting IOS-XR or another carrier-grade network OS.
  • Exposure to L2/L3 protocols plus.

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. 


Disclaimer

To ensure that we hire the best talent in the right way, we follow a strict hiring process and recently, Cisco has been made aware of fraudulent recruiters claiming to be from the company. Please be advised that any communication from Cisco about careers will:

  • be in direct response to an application you have submitted through the company career site
  • begin with screening or an interview
  • originate from a Cisco email address, and
  • be conducted across email, phone, or WebEx

 

Cisco will never make a job offer without conducting an interview process or ask you for money in any way. If you have been requested to apply for a role or have received an offer from a site other than https://careers.cisco.com or cisco.wd5.myworkday.com, do not provide any personal identifying information, including your Aadhaar or other personal identifying number, birth certificate, banking information, driver's license, or passport.


If you are the target of a recruiting scam, consider filing a report with your local law enforcement authorities. Cisco bears no responsibility, and cannot be held liable, for any claims, damages, expenses, or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to recruiting scams.


How we rate this

Software Engineer (C and Python, Linux OS, networking domain, L2/L3 forwarding protocols| 4-9 Years)) at Cisco rates 45 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Uses AI (AI Level 2 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Uses AI. An ordinary role that requires AI tools.

  1. ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
  2. ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
  3. ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
  4. ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.

Prepare for this job

A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Embedded SystemsNetworkingL2 L3 ProtocolsPacket ForwardingAI Assisted DevelopmentCPythonLinux

Questions you could be asked

  1. Tell me about a project where embedded systems was part of your work. What did you do?
  2. Tell me about a project where networking was part of your work. What did you do?
  3. Tell me about a project where l2 l3 protocols was part of your work. What did you do?
  4. Tell me about a project where packet forwarding was part of your work. What did you do?
  5. Tell me about a project where ai assisted development was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

  • List these exact terms on your resume: Embedded Systems, Networking, L2 L3 Protocols, Packet Forwarding, and AI Assisted Development. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
  • Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
  • Put the AI tool in a bullet point about what you did, not just in a skills list — this role treats it as a required part of the job.

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