Cisco

Technical Leader, DPU Networking and AI Infrastructure

Cisco • $183K — $263K *
San Jose, CA 95123In-Person
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in networking, systems software, distributed systems, or infrastructure engineering; advanced degree preferred.
  • Extensive experience in designing production networking systems or large-scale infrastructure software.
  • Strong programming skills in C/C++, Go, Rust, Python, or similar languages.
  • Proficient in Linux networking, routing, and production debugging.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives from concept to deployment.

Responsibilities

  • Define architecture for DPU-accelerated host networking and security.
  • Make tradeoffs for performance and reliability between DPU and host CPU tasks.
  • Design distributed networking features like firewalling and policy enforcement.
  • Guide decisions on DPU SDKs and cloud control-plane services.
  • Create robust APIs and policy models for networking systems.
  • Incorporate failure-mode thinking into architecture to enhance reliability.
  • Provide leadership on AI cluster networking challenges and optimize performance.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model, ideally 3 days in the office.
  • Opportunity to work at the forefront of AI infrastructure and networking.
  • Engagement in cross-functional collaboration with experienced teams.
  • Access to opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
  • Involvement in innovative projects with cutting-edge technology.
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.

This is a Hybrid position located in Milpitas, Ca. Ideally 3 days per week in office.

Meet the Team

Cisco is building a next-generation DPU-enabled networking platform for secure, high-performance infrastructure and large-scale AI clusters. Our team is responsible for designing the foundational networking, security, and programmable services that span host systems, DPUs, SmartNICs, and cloud-scale control planes. We work at the intersection of systems software, hardware acceleration, distributed security, and AI infrastructure, creating platforms that deliver line-rate performance, strong isolation, operational reliability, and simplified deployment across modern data center environments.

We are looking for a technical leader to define the architecture for host networking, DPU offload, distributed security, and programmable network services across modern DPU and SmartNIC platforms.

Your Impact
  • Lead architecture for DPU-accelerated host networking, security, and network services.
  • Define what runs on the DPU versus the host CPU, including tradeoffs around performance, cost, failure isolation, observability, debuggability, and operational complexity.
  • Architect distributed firewalling, micro segmentation, virtual routing, service chaining, traffic steering, and line-rate policy enforcement.
  • Guide platform decisions across DPU SDKs, programmable pipelines, Linux networking, control-plane services, telemetry, policy distribution, and upgrade models.
  • Design APIs, policy models, configuration flows, state synchronization mechanisms, and recovery behavior for distributed networking systems.
  • Build static-stability and failure-mode thinking into the architecture so the system behaves predictably during partial failures, control-plane loss, upgrades, rollbacks, and fleet-wide rollout.
  • Provide technical leadership for AI cluster networking challenges, including congestion collapse, incast, ECMP imbalance, PFC/ECN behavior, noisy tenants, NIC firmware issues, switch misconfiguration, and GPU underutilization caused by network stalls.
  • Align cross-functional stakeholders across hardware, firmware, product, and customer-facing teams to successfully translate complex architectural visions into shippable software.
  • Elevate engineering standards across the organization through meticulous design reviews, proactively identifying systemic risks to scale, reliability, and security.
  • Mentor senior engineering talent, accelerating team growth and technical depth in packet processing, host networking, and control-plane design.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree with significant related experience, or advanced degree with equivalent experience in networking, systems software, distributed systems, or infrastructure engineering.
  • Deep experience designing and building production networking systems, security platforms, cloud networking, host networking, or large-scale infrastructure software.
  • Proficiency in systems programming experience using C/C++, Go, Rust, Python, or similar languages.
  • Applied skills in Linux networking, packet processing, routing, policy enforcement, virtualization, and production debugging.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead architecture across multiple teams and drive complex technical decisions from concept through production.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with DPU, SmartNIC, NIC offload, NPU, ASIC, or hardware-accelerated networking platforms.
  • Experience with NVIDIA BlueField/DOCA, AMD Pensando, DPU SDKs, P4 or P4-like programmable pipelines, DPDK, OVS, tc, eBPF/XDP, SR-IOV, VF/PF, or kernel bypass.
  • Experience architecting firewall, microsegmentation, NAT, virtual routing, VTEP, load balancing, traffic steering, service insertion, or service chaining systems.
  • Proficient understanding of AI/HPC cluster networking behavior, including RDMA/RoCE, PFC, ECN, ECMP, congestion management, telemetry, and failure diagnosis.
  • Experience designing distributed control planes with attention to consistency, state ownership, upgrade safety, rollback, policy convergence, and fleet operations.
  • Ability to balance hardware offload, software portability, customer-visible simplicity, performance, and long-term platform maintainability.


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
Telecommunications & Hardware
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ
CSCO
* Ladders Estimates

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