Lead Software Engineer

Your Role In The Ai EraThe Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco's core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow. Because full product development—from design to qualification to production—is within our team, we're able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.Your ImpactArchitect, design, and develop BIOS, BSP, and Diagnostics for Cisco Core and Edge routing products.Design, develop, and test kernel and user space device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.Develop and execute software test plans.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to debug prototypes and validate software.Lead technical reviews and discussions across teams.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 10+ years experience, or Master's degree with 8+ years experience.Proficient in C, C++, and Python programming.Strong hardware and device driver development background, including experience with Linux hardware bring-up.Experience with Sonic, ONIE, BMC, IPMI, and/or Redfish technologies.Skilled in developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems and device drivers for protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and/or GPIO.Preferred SkillsProficient in kernel debugging tools such as GDB and KGDB.Experience developing software from concept through delivery for large-scale, high-bandwidth systems.Ability to troubleshoot software defects from kernel modules to applications.Experience with collaborative system design, specification writing, and requirements review.Commitment to quality, mentoring, and continuous learning in networking, optics, and embedded systems.Experience with AI/ML.Knowledge of Layer 2/3 network protocols.Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills.Experience with network processors and optical networking.Familiarity with secure-boot, open-source tools, CMIS, and SFF standards (SFP, QSFP).Strong communication skills and knowledge of software quality processes.