Cisco

Principal Tetragon Software Engineer

Cisco$231K — $331K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree plus 15 years, Master's plus 12 years, or PhD plus 8 years of related experience.
  • 10+ years in systems programming languages like C, C++, Go, Rust, primarily Go for Tetragon.
  • Proven track record leading technical direction or architecture for runtime security or observability systems.
  • Experience in OS-level and distributed systems development.
  • Expertise in debugging and performance optimization for scalable systems.

Responsibilities

  • Develop high-quality Go (and eBPF) code for Tetragon.
  • Enhance Tetragon to control the execution flow of native or runtime-based applications.
  • Improve capabilities to filter malicious network packets.
  • Mitigate kernel-level vulnerabilities in Tetragon and the eBPF subsystem.
  • Design and optimize deployment systems for Tetragon across large fleets.
  • Architect infrastructure that converts raw event data into intelligence streams.
  • Collaborate on requirements, define integration points, and deliver production-ready solutions.

Benefits

  • Participation in open-source projects and community discussions.
  • Opportunities to work with cross-functional teams at Cisco.
  • Engagement in architecture and code reviews to enhance skills and collaboration.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/31/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Your Impact

Tetragon is a flexible, Kubernetes-aware observability and security tool that delivers real-time insights and enforcement. Leveraging the power of eBPF, Tetragon provides low-overhead, in-kernel visibility and intelligence across diverse environments.

As a Principal Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing Tetragon's capabilities. You will guide architectural direction while staying deeply engaged in building the systems that power our platform. Your impact will span designing high-performance data pipelines, optimizing database and distributed system performance, and ensuring massive streams of system events can be ingested, aggregated, and distilled into meaningful intelligence.

You will collaborate closely with teams across Cisco, including Hypershield and Splunk, to create the integration points that transform raw data into actionable insights for enterprise security. In this role, you'll solve some of the most complex system-level challenges in observability and infrastructure, helping Tetragon evolve to meet the needs of modern cloud-native environments.

What you'll do:

  • Develop high-quality Go (and eBPF) code for the Tetragon project.


  • Extend Tetragon capabilities to mitigate security vulnerabilities. Examples include:


  • Enhance Tetragon to better understand and control the execution flow of native (e.g., written in C/C++) or runtime-based (Java, Python, Go, etc.) applications


  • Enhance Tetragon capabilities to filter malicious network packets that can trigger vulnerabilities in applications / systems


  • Enhance Tetragon, and potentially the kernel and the eBPF sub-system, to mitigate against kernel-level vulnerabilities.


  • Design and optimize systems to deploy and manage Tetragon across large fleets, in K8s or other environments (VMs).


  • Architect infrastructure that converts raw event data into intelligence streams with minimal performance overhead.


  • Partner across teams to align requirements, define integration points, and deliver production-ready solutions.


  • Contribute to open-source projects and represent Cisco Isovalent in community discussions.


  • Participate in architecture reviews, code reviews, and documentation.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelors + 15 years of related experience, or Masters + 12 years of related experience, or PhD + 8 years of related experience or equivalent experience


  • 10+ years of experience in systems programming (C, C++, Go, Rust, or similar; Tetragon is primarily written in Go).


  • Proven experience leading technical direction or architecture for runtime security systems, observability, or similar.


  • Experience in OS-level development, distributed systems, or database systems.


  • Experience in debugging and performance optimization with a track record of delivering scalable systems.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience building eBPF-based systems for observability or security use cases.


  • Solid background in Linux systems and kernel-level concepts.


  • Familiarity with Kubernetes and cloud-native environments.


  • Familiarity with CVE workflows, vulnerability data pipelines, or security event modeling.


  • Familiarity with how vulnerable software is exploited at all levels


  • Strong experience in networking protocol analysis or experience in developing networking switches (e.g., L2/L3 protocols like ARP, DHCP, SNMP)


  • Contributions to open-source projects in networking, observability, or distributed systems.


  • Experience working across diverse, distributed teams

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
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