Cisco Hiring 2026: Software Engineer – Silicon One (NPU) | Bangalore (Job ID 2015025)

Company: Cisco Systems India Private Limited
Job Title: Software Engineer (Silicon One Customer & Systems Engineering)
Job ID / Requisition: 2015025
Practice / Group: Cisco Silicon One Software Division (Cloud Data Center & High-Performance Networking)
Work Model: Hybrid
Category: Product and Engineering
Experience Level: 0 to 1 Year (Fresh Graduates & Early Career Software Engineers)
Location: Bangalore / Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Cisco Systems is a global networking, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity leader. The Cisco Silicon One architecture is Cisco’s flagship unified network processing unit (NPU) platform, engineered to deliver ultra-high-speed, low-latency, and power-efficient routing and switching across massive scale AI/ML clusters, hyperscale cloud data centers, and global service provider networks.

The Software Engineer position (Job ID: 2015025) is based at Cisco’s primary R&D technology center in Bangalore. Operating within a fast-paced startup atmosphere backed by corporate stability, engineers on the Silicon One Customer Engineering team build control plane and data plane software stacks using modern C++ and Python. They integrate open-source network operating systems (SONiC, SAI), troubleshoot high-density ASIC software, and work directly with hyperscale cloud customers to adopt next-generation Silicon One hardware.

• Silicon One NPU Software Development: Design, build, and debug control plane and data plane software features powering Cisco Silicon One network processors for AI/ML and routing workloads.
• Customer Engineering & Adoption: Partner directly with global cloud customers to understand feature requirements, troubleshoot integration bottlenecks, write custom software modules, and improve product quality.
• Open Networking & Switch Abstraction: Develop and integrate software over SAI (Switch Abstraction Interface) and SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) open-source platforms.
• Low-Level Debugging & Troubleshooting: Use advanced debugging utilities (GDB, PDB, trace logs, system dumps) to isolate software defects across silicon-software boundaries.
• Next-Gen ASIC Collaboration: Work closely with silicon architects and hardware engineering teams to define architectural specifications for future Silicon One ASIC generations.
• Code Maintenance & Ownership: Write scalable, testable code in modern C++ and Python, ensuring high performance, sub-millisecond latency, and robust code documentation.

Academic Background

• Degree: Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Engineering / B.Tech (B.E. / B.Tech) or Master of Science / M.Tech (M.S. / M.Tech) in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS), Electronics & Communication (ECE), or related quantitative fields.

Experience Level

• 0 to 1 Year of relevant software development experience (ideal for 2025/2026 fresh engineering graduates and early-career networking engineers).

Mandatory Technical Competencies

• Programming Proficiency: Hands-on experience developing and integrating software using modern C++ or Python.
• Networking Protocols: Sound foundational knowledge of Layer 2 / Layer 3 networking protocols (Ethernet, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6, MPLS, BGP, OSPF).
• Debugging & Problem Solving: Analytical reasoning skills with practical experience using debugging tools such as GDB or PDB.
• Computer Science Core: Strong working knowledge of Data Structures, Algorithms, and Operating Systems fundamentals.

Preferred / Good-to-Have Skills

• Experience with open networking interfaces and NOS architectures such as SAI or SONiC.
• Exposure to cloud, data center, or edge networking hardware products.
• Experience writing, benchmarking, and supporting software for high-throughput, low-latency hardware platforms.

• Estimated Starting Salary: ₹14.0 LPA to ₹22.0 LPA (CTC) for entry-level Software Engineers (Silicon One team), plus performance bonuses, stock units (RSUs), and health benefits.
• Cisco Corporate Perks:
  • Direct hands-on R&D exposure to Cisco Silicon One—the industry’s premier routing and switching silicon.
  • Access to Cisco learning networks, cloud/networking certifications (CCNA, CCNP, DevNet), and technical workshops.
  • Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision, Group Term Life, and Personal Accident Insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Hybrid work flexibility, wellness days off, and access to Cisco’s Bangalore campus amenities.

1. Profile Shortlisting & Resume Screening (Job ID: 2015025)
   (Verification of BS/MS in EE/CS/ECE, C++/Python skills, 0–1 YOE, & Bangalore hybrid fit)
   ↓
2. Cisco Online Assessment (HackerRank / CodeSignal)
   (Evaluation of Data Structures, Algorithmic Coding in C++/Python, Networking Fundamentals, & OS Concepts)
   ↓
3. Technical Interview Round 1 (C++, Data Structures & Memory Management)
   (Live coding session, C++ pointers, memory allocation, STL containers, OOP design, & algorithmic efficiency)
   ↓
4. Technical Interview Round 2 (Networking Protocols, OS & System Debugging)
   (Deep-dive into L2/L3 protocols [BGP, OSPF, MPLS], GDB debugging logic, thread synchronization, & SONiC/SAI concepts)
   ↓
5. Technical Managerial & HR Round (Customer Mindset & Culture)
   (Discussion on customer troubleshooting scenarios, Cisco values, hybrid work expectations, & formal offer rollout)

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• Modern C++ & Memory Engineering: Smart pointers (unique_ptr, shared_ptr), RAII, MOVE semantics, STL algorithms, multithreading, mutexes, and GDB breakpoint/memory leak analysis.
• Networking Protocols & Data Plane: L2 Switching, L3 Routing tables, BGP path selection, OSPF state machines, MPLS label distribution, Packet parsing, and Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI) architecture.
• Data Structures & OS Internals: Trees, Hash Tables, Queues, Bit manipulation, POSIX threads, IPC mechanisms, socket programming, and memory mapped I/O.

• Silicon & Networking: Cisco Silicon One, NPU Architecture, Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI), SONiC, Control Plane, Data Plane, Layer 2 / Layer 3 Protocols, BGP, OSPF, MPLS
• Languages & Tools: Modern C++, Python, GDB, PDB, System Debugging, Data Structures, Algorithms, Socket Programming, REST APIs
• Domain & Practices: Customer Engineering, Cloud Data Centers, AI/ML Workloads, High-Throughput Systems, Open Networking, Microservices
• Cisco Specifics: Job ID 2015025, Cisco Systems Bangalore, Hybrid Work Model, Product and Engineering

1. What is the Job Requisition ID for this Cisco opening?

The official Cisco job ID is 2015025.

2. What experience level is required for this role?

The role requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in EE/CS with 0 to 1 year of related software development experience.

3. What programming languages are primary for this team?

The role heavily utilizes modern C++ and Python for NPU software stack development and customer tooling.

4. What is the work location and model?

The position is located at Cisco’s campus in Bangalore / Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, under a Hybrid work model.