# Principal Software Engineer at Cisco

Cisco is hiring a Principal Software Engineer. It pays $251k-$363k a year and Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Cisco](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/52ea8ced-0ce2-4251-95e7-d0b5608c428e?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 10 out of 100. Milpitas, California, US.

## Details

- Company: [Cisco](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/cisco)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 10 out of 100)
- Location: Milpitas, California, US
- Salary: $251k-$363k
- Posted: September 23, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/52ea8ced-0ce2-4251-95e7-d0b5608c428e?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=principal-software-engineer-at-cisco-92c9b4

## Prepare for this job

The job page lists 5 likely interview questions for this offer, with a CV checklist: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/principal-software-engineer-at-cisco-92c9b4

## Description

Meet the Team The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow. Because full product development—from design to qualification to production—is within our team, we’re able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world. Your Impact Architect and develop BIOS, BSP, and diagnostics for Cisco's Core and Edge routing products. Design, develop, and test device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals. Develop and execute software test plans. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug prototypes and validate software. Innovate and drive unique software, hardware, and technology solutions with a global impact on Cisco's product portfolio. Utilize deep technical expertise for complex consultations and act as an expert both internally and externally. Shape technology and industry trends to enable a competitive advantage and ensure long-term business impact. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 15+ years experience, or Master’s degree with 12+ years experience. Experience in C, C++, and Python programming for embedded systems. Experience in hardware and device driver development, including Linux hardware bring-up, multi-threading, event handling, and state machine implementation. Experience with Sonic, ONIE, BMC, IPMI, and/or Redfish technologies. Experience developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems using protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, GPIO. Preferred Qualifications Proficient in kernel debugging tools such as GDB and KGDB. Experience leading board bring-up, validation, and debugging of embedded systems. Ability to develop software from concept through delivery for large-scale, high-bandwidth systems. Strong troubleshooting skills for software defects from kernel modules to applications. Experience in collaborative system design, specification writing, and requirements review. Commitment to quality, mentoring, and continuous learning in networking, optics, and embedded systems. AI/ML experience and knowledge of Layer 2/3 network protocols, network processors, optical networking, secure-boot, open-source tools, CMIS, and SFF standards (SFP, QSFP). 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 $250,600.00 to $362,600.00 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

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Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/principal-software-engineer-at-cisco-92c9b4

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