Cisco

Principal Software Engineer

Cisco$231K — $331K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of experience in large-scale software and distributed systems.
  • Experience in building secure and highly available systems in cloud or hybrid settings.
  • Proficiency in writing production-grade code using languages like Go, Rust, or C++.
  • 5+ years of experience with security principles regarding identity and platform systems.

Responsibilities

  • Innovate and develop security-focused troubleshooting applications for data visibility and operational insights.
  • Act as an expert providing guidance on complex technical challenges.
  • Leverage expertise to connect technology trends with product impacts.
  • Set standards for Cisco's technical direction and influence industry practices.
  • Execute technology strategies for long-term business results.
  • Stay updated on tech trends to ensure Cisco's competitive edge.
  • Collaborate across teams to turn strategic vision into scalable solutions.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contributions.
  • Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance.
  • Flexible vacation time for exempt employees, with no defined limit on usage.
  • 16 days of paid vacation for non-exempt employees, accrued per pay period.
  • Paid time off for holidays, personal wellness, and volunteer work.
Full Job Description
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.

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. The team focuses on delivering secure, scalable platform capabilities that enable consistent management of security products across Cisco's portfolio.

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. The work spans cloud, security, and platform infrastructure, with an emphasis on reliability, interoperability, and long-term scalability.

Your Impact
  • 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.
  • Act as an internal, external, and industry expert, applying deep technical expertise to provide guidance and consultation on complex challenges.
  • 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.
  • Guide and set standards for the technical direction of Cisco's software and technology solutions, influencing industry trends, business leaders, and Cisco's technical community.
  • 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.
  • Partner across engineering, product, and business teams to translate strategic vision into scalable, high-impact solutions.
  • Mentor and influence senior technical leaders, driving architectural consistency and engineering excellence across the organization.


Minimum Qualifications
  • 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 building and scaling highly available, secure, and distributed systems in cloud or hybrid environments.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Experience defining technical architecture and driving end-to-end system design across multiple teams or organizations.
  • Contributions to industry standards, open-source projects, patents, or publications.
  • Ability to translate emerging technology trends into long-term strategic direction and business impact.


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 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 listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:
  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer


For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.


For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:
$231,400.00 - $381,600.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$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.

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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