Cisco

Principal Software Engineer

San Jose, California, US · Principal · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$231k-$332kDetected 1 day ago

GoRustC++Distributed SystemsMachine LearningElectrical EngineeringCiscoLeadership

About the role

The application window is expected to close on: 08/31/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
This is a hybrid position working onsite in San Jose.
Serve as a domain expert or cross-domain integrator, leveraging breadth of knowledge to connect emerging technology trends and assess their impact on Cisco products.

Innovate, develop, and drive data platform and security-focused troubleshooting application as foundational platform components that enable visibility, analytics, automation, and operational insights across the Security portfolio.
Ensure the development, execution, and enablement of technology strategies that deliver long-term business impact.
Stay ahead of evolving technology and industry trends, shaping innovation and enabling Cisco to maintain a strong competitive advantage.
Meet the Team You will join Cisco's Platform & Identity Engineering Group, a foundational group responsible for building and scaling the core platform services that power Cisco's products and experiences.
This organization partners closely with engineering, security, and product teams across multiple technology and business groups to provide the underlying systems that support Cisco's innovation.

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 12+ years of experience designing and developing large-scale software, platform, or distributed systems.
Experience writing high-quality, production-grade code using modern programming languages (e.g., Go, Rust, or C++).
5+ years of experience with security, privacy, and data protection principles as applied to platform and identity systems.
Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
Recognized technical leadership as a domain expert or cross-domain integrator influencing architecture across multiple product lines or business units.
Experience driving platform strategy in large-scale enterprise or cloud environments.
Experience integrating systems with broader platform services such as observability, data platforms, or AI/ML-driven systems.
Track record of influencing technical direction and aligning stakeholders across a large, matrixed organization.
Contributions to industry standards, open-source projects, patents, or publications.
Ability to translate emerging technology trends into long-term strategic direction and business impact.
We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada: The starting salary range posted for this position is $231,400.00 to $331,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada

Partner across engineering, product, and business teams to translate strategic vision into scalable, high-impact solutions.

$222,900.00 - $343,600.00 * 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.
Cisconians power the future.
We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale.
The depth and breadth of our technology doesn't just benefit our customers - it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn.
We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together.
Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life's best work.

This listing is sourced directly from Cisco's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.