Cisco

Principal Software Engineer

Cisco$250K — $362K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
  • 17+ years industry experience, or 10 years with a Master's, focusing on architecture and technical strategy.
  • 7+ years in technical leadership and architecture roles.
  • 10+ years in AWS cloud development or similar, proficient in Python, Go, or Java.
  • Expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, and production operations.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop scalable and maintainable production-quality applications.
  • Improve existing processes and architecture to enhance product capabilities.
  • Document technical specifications for development based on business and technical requirements.
  • Oversee architecture, design, code quality, and software deployments.
  • Participate in design and code reviews; mentor junior developers.
  • Evaluate new technology stacks and tools through proof of concepts.
  • Troubleshoot complex system-level stability and scalability issues.

Benefits

  • Collaborative working environment in a leading tech company.
  • Opportunities to mentor and lead high-performing teams.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge technologies and cloud security initiatives.
  • Professional development opportunities and access to training resources.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 11/29/2026This is an onsite role in Milpitas, CA

Meet the Team

You will serve as a Principal Software Engineer within Cisco's cloud security business group, collaborating across multiple fast-paced teams to design, develop, and deliver scalable, supportable, and maintainable production-quality applications! Your responsibilities include building new capabilities to the products as well as and improving existing processes and architecture, developing, partnering with internal and external teams to understand business and technical requirements and documenting technical specifications for development. You will oversee architecture, design, code quality, and deployments, while also documenting and communicating technical solutions to architecture groups and leadership. Additionally, you will participate in design and code reviews, mentor junior developers, evaluate new technology stacks and third-party tools through proof of concepts and benchmarks, and troubleshoot sophisticated system-level stability and scalability issues.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • A Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Computer Science with a minimum of 17+ years of relevant industry experience, or a Master's degree and 10 years of relevant industry experience owning architecture and technical strategy across multiple teams, from problem definition and system design through rollout, adoption, and operational support.
  • 7+ years of experience in a technical leadership role and architecture.
  • 10+ years experience in development in AWS cloud or similar and proficiency in Python, Go or Java.
  • Deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architecture, APIs, micro-services architecture, data platforms, multi-tenant services, and production operations.
  • Experience building agentic systems and leveraging AI to improve productivity across the software development lifecycle (SDLC).


Preferred requirements:
  • Experience with SSE/SASE, zero-trust architecture, identity-aware access, authorization, secure web access, data protection, DNS security, browser isolation, or digital experience monitoring.
  • Experience with LLM applications, retrieval-augmented generation, agent orchestration, tool calling, prompt and context management, model evaluation, LLMOps, AI safety, guardrails, and responsible AI.
  • Experience with streaming data, feature engineering, anomaly detection, behavioral or graph analytics, model drift, explain-ability, feedback loops, and investigation or analyst workflows.
  • Experience with data pipelines handling large volumes and sound knowledge in technologies such as Kafka, Kubernetes, NoSQL.
  • Experience with modern frontend frameworks, TypeScript, component or design systems, web performance, accessibility, browser security, API design, and backend-for-frontend architecture.
  • Ability to work independently, research current and emerging technologies, propose changes as needed to cater to changing business / technical conditions.
  • Ability to optimally lead teams and inspire others to achieve goals through innovation, quality and excellence.
  • Excellent debugging skills, ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex system level stability or scalability issues.
  • A track record of setting engineering standards, resolving cross-organization architectural tension, mentoring principal-level talent, and communicating complex ideas to mixed audiences.

About Cisco

Cisco Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions, where innovation and leadership thrive. Cisco offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences, making it an ideal place for both seasoned professionals and those seeking an internship to jumpstart their career. Work You’ll Do At Cisco, you’ll be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Engage in work that matters with a team that combines technology, creativity, and the power of human connection to redefine networking. Cisco’s commitment to innovation isn’t just about technology, but also about transforming the way we work and collaborate. Cisco’s employment philosophy supports career advancement and nurtures a leadership pipeline that is equipped with diversity training and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re applying your skills to drive our latest innovations or using our vast networking capabilities to solve complex problems, at Cisco, every role is impactful. Join Our Dynamic Team Explore job opportunities in areas ranging from engineering to marketing, sales to cybersecurity. Cisco is hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. Positions at Cisco offer competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Cisco internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, enhance your resume, and build professional networks that last a lifetime. Our internships provide hands-on experience and the chance to work on projects that matter. Leadership and Development Cisco is committed to fostering leadership skills and providing employees with the training needed to succeed. Our leadership programs help you develop new skills, manage teams effectively, and lead with confidence. Cisco’s commitment to professional development ensures that your career path is as dynamic as our technologies. Benefits and Culture Cisco understands the importance of a balanced life. Our benefits package is designed to ensure that our team members are healthy, happy, and secure. At Cisco, you’ll find a supportive culture that encourages open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Stay Connected Join Cisco’s Talent Network Stay informed about new positions that match your skills and interests. At Cisco, we value the curiosity and unique perspectives of our team members. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly from our hiring managers. Explore Cisco Jobs Ready to advance your career at Cisco? Search open positions, prepare your resume, and get ready for an interview that could lead to your next big opportunity. At Cisco, we’re not just filling positions—we’re investing in leaders. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at Cisco.
Learn more about Cisco
Size
79,500 employees
Market Cap
$194.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ

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