Cisco

Software Engineering Technical Leader (Remote)

Cisco$177K — $257K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with expert-level C++ skills and familiarity with Python or similar languages.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and maintaining reusable test frameworks used by multiple engineering teams.
  • Proficiency with C++ testing frameworks like GoogleTest and building automation tools using Python.
  • Solid understanding of build systems such as Bazel or CMake.
  • Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD workflows with containerized architectures and public cloud services.
  • Strong debugging skills with experience in observability tools to tackle complex issues.
  • Expertise in software design principles that promote testability.

Responsibilities

  • Define and drive the strategy for the C++ testing ecosystem used by engineering teams.
  • Design reusable testing frameworks and tools to enhance software quality across teams.
  • Integrate quality gates within CI/CD pipelines for quick feedback to engineers.
  • Develop platforms providing insights into engineering metrics like test coverage and pipeline health.
  • Mentor engineers and influence technical standards across teams through collaboration.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with company matching.
  • Paid parental leave and long-term disability coverage.
  • Paid time off including holidays, personal wellness days, and flexible vacation options.
  • Optional paid days to volunteer.
  • Eligibility for stock grants that vest over time.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/25/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This position is fully remote and can be performed from any location within the United States. This role requires reliable internet connection and the ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Your Impact

You'll help set the technical direction for the Python and C++ testing ecosystem that engineering teams across the organization rely on. Your impact will extend beyond the tools you build-you'll create solutions that teams choose to adopt, helping establish consistent testing practices and higher quality standards across the organization.
  • Develop how developers build, test, and ship software by defining and driving the strategy for our C++ testing ecosystem.
  • Design reusable testing frameworks, libraries, and developer tooling that reduce duplication and improve engineering quality across teams.
  • Integrate effective quality gates into CI/CD pipelines, giving engineers fast, actionable feedback and helping identify issues before they reach production.
  • Build platforms that provide clarity into key engineering metrics, including test coverage, flaky-test trends, and pipeline health, enabling teams to make informed, data-driven decisions.
  • Mentor engineers and influence technical decisions across teams, sharing testing expertise, promoting engineering standards, and driving alignment without relying on formal authority.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with expert-level C++ skills and experience using Python or similar languages to build developer tooling, automation, and test infrastructure.
  • Consistent record to design and maintain reusable test frameworks or developer tools accepted by multiple engineering teams.
  • Expertise with C++ testing and mocking frameworks such as GoogleTest, Google Mock, Catch2, or comparable technologies, along with experience building automation or developer tooling using Python or similar languages.
  • Proficiency with build systems and dependency management tools, including Bazel, CMake, or similar technologies.
  • Solid grasp of building automated testing and developer tooling into modern delivery workflows, including Kubernetes, containerized environments, and microservices-based architectures.
  • Familiarity with public cloud platforms, including AWS, GCP, or Azure.
  • Strong debugging and solving skills, with experience using observability and diagnostic tools to identify and resolve sophisticated issues.
  • Deep understanding of software design for testability, including dependency injection, interface design, deterministic testing, isolation, and automation standards.
  • Consistent track record to influence engineering standards, drive technical adoption across teams, and communicate effectively with technical partners.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience building shared testing infrastructure or internal developer platforms.
  • Experience modernizing testing frameworks for large-scale C++ applications.
  • Experience developing automation, developer tooling, or CI/CD workflows using Python or other scripting languages.
  • Experience building multi-language developer platforms supporting C++, Python, Go, or Java.
  • Experience designing SDKs, libraries, or testing infrastructure across multiple programming languages.
  • Experience with distributed systems, networking, or high-performance software.
  • Experience building quality platforms, dashboards, or engineering metrics.
  • Experience with contract testing, flaky test management, or automated quality tooling.


Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $177,600.00 to $257,400.00 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:
$214,100.00 - $356,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$192,400.00 - $317,200.00

* 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
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