Software Engineer (Firmware) Security

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Application window is expected to close by 05/30/2025.

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

The successful applicant will provide ownership of and be performing work in FedRAMP or IL-5 type environments, and therefore, must be a U.S. Person (i.e. U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee). This position may also perform work that the U.S. government has specified can only be performed by a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil.

Meet the Team

The Security & Trust Organization (ST&O) has corporate-level responsibility for customer data protection and compliance, corporate information protection, and government and product security. Security is a key concern of our customers and a top investment area for Cisco. Join us and help us become the #1 Trusted IT Company in the World.

Within ST&O, the Foundational Security Team (FST) seeks to increase product security and trustworthiness across a broad range of Cisco products through development, integration and deployment of reusable software and hardware solutions. Within Foundation Security, the Hardware & Firmware Security team (HFST) focuses on security solutions implemented at the hardware and firmware level.

Your Impact

The HFST seeks an energetic, proactive firmware engineer to design, implement, test and support security features & solutions. This position provides an opportunity to grow and learn in the product development security space. We are seeking someone who has skills in firmware development, as well as experience working with embedded processor-based systems.

• Responsibilities are focused on the development and deployment of hardware and firmware-based security technologies that improve the trustworthiness of Cisco products
• This is a multifaceted role including development activities within the Hardware & Firmware Security team, applications engineering activities serving the product teams that are deploying security technologies, assessment of system architectures and components for security capabilities and/or vulnerabilities, and education to increase the security awareness of others.
• The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working in an environment with many concurrent activities and be able to prioritize and manage concurrent tasks.
• Since security threats are dynamic and constantly evolving, the role will also require ongoing education to improve security knowledge and awareness, investigation of new security threats and technologies to address them, as well as evaluation of security solutions.
• Designing, developing, documenting, and testing firmware as well as combined hardware and firmware-based security technologies applying CPU evaluation platforms and Cisco products.
• Assisting product teams deploying hardware and software security technologies.
• Developing documentation, proof of concepts, reference code, and scripts to facilitate adoption and verification of security technologies.
• Participating in, and contributing to, firmware architecture, design, specifications, and code reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S./M.S. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• Experience with the Rust programming language
• Experience with other programming languages including assembly, C/C++, Go, Python, Ruby or Javascript
• Experience with embedded CPU systems and architecture
• Experience with firmware/hardware debug and test in a lab environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Post Quantum Computing (PQC) standards, algorithms, and encryption techniques, with implementation experience in embedded products.
• Familiarity with CNSA1.0 and 2.0 standards, and LMS/XMSS.
• Ability to apply malware forensic analysis techniques and concepts to ensure advanced trustworthy product security features.
• Proactive, self-starting, and independent, with strong troubleshooting skills and a passion for problem-solving.
• Capable of working independently and collaborating with multi-functional teams, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 5+ years of experience with firmware development and testing on embedded CPU systems, including development practices like code reviews, coding standards, source code management, and designing interfaces/APIs for customers.
• Experience with x86 and ARM CPUs and boot architecture.
• Proficiency with protocols/interfaces such as USB, JTAG, SPI, I2C, and Ethernet.
• Understanding of CPU operating modes, peripheral registers, memory utilization, and concepts.
• Knowledge of concurrency, data structures, error handling, profiling, and debugging.
• Experience with lab tools, evaluation boards, and board-level bring-up using firmware and hardware debug tools.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees' diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada: When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco's flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco's Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.