Software Development Test Engineer (Hybrid)

The application window is expected to close on: 05/28/2026

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

This is a hybrid role at the RTP, NC office.

Meet the Team

Cisco SDWAN focuses on simplifying and securing enterprise WANs, enabling seamless cloud connectivity, automating network operations, and ensuring optimal application performance through advanced SD-WAN solutions.

Our Team works on Cisco SD-WAN solutions that help enterprises build resilient, secure, and scalable wide area networks for distributed branch, cloud, and hybrid environments. The focus is on simplifying network operations through centralized management and automation, improving application and user experience with intelligent connectivity, and strengthening security with SASE-ready, zero-trust architecture. The team enables customers to connect sites, users, and cloud workloads with better visibility, performance, and operational efficiency.

Your Impact

• Define and drive test strategy and validation architecture for the SDWAN controller/Dashboard features managing Cisco Secure SDWAN Solution.

• As part of this SDWAN controller test team, you will be focusing on the tests validating Cisco SDWAN controller features like configuration, policy management, high availability multi-tenancy and UI/UX features on SDWAN secure routers.

• Design and evolve scalable test frameworks, test automation using Python/Restapi, and validation pipelines for controller-based solutions.

• Establish end-to-end test strategies covering functional, system, scale, application performance, resiliency, security and administration.

• Collaborate with engineering leaders, product management, hardware, and TAC teams to define quality goals, test scope, and execution strategies.

• Lead customer demos and technical presentations to showcase product capabilities and articulate solution value.

• Represent the test organization in cross-functional forums to influence release decisions, risk assessment, and quality metrics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Educational and Experience Requirements: Bachelor's degree in engineering (BSEE/MSEE/CS) or equivalent, with 6-8 years of relevant experience in testing NMS products, SD-WAN controllers, and automation.

• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of SD-WAN control and management plane testing, including multi-tenancy, high availability clustering, disaster recovery, and security protocols such as IPSec, TLS, DTLS, PKI, and certificate management.

• Software Development and Automation Skills: Proficient in Software Development Life Cycle processes, test plan development based on customer use cases, and 4+ years of automation experience using Python, Selenium, and REST APIs.

• System and Network Proficiency: Solid fundamentals in Linux OS, virtualization technologies (KVM, ESXi), network traffic generators (Ixia, Spirent), analyzers (Wireshark), and version control with GIT.

• Advanced Troubleshooting and Configuration Validation: Expert-level root cause analysis skills using debugging techniques and system traces, plus experience validating modern configuration models like YANG, NETCONF, and RESTCONF.

Preferred Qualification

• SD-WAN and Cloud Networking Experience: Hands-on experience with major SD-WAN vendors such as Cisco Viptela/Meraki, VMware VeloCloud, Fortinet, Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN, and familiarity with cloud networking concepts and integration with AWS, Azure, or GCP.

• Technical and Tool Proficiency: Knowledge of database systems, DevOps tools, distributed systems architecture, and configuration management tools like Ansible.

• Agile and Automation Exposure: Experience working in Agile development environments and exposure to AI-based automation tools for SD-WAN controllers and applications.

• Analytical and Communication Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, debugging abilities, along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Teamwork and Leadership: Proven ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams, demonstrated mentorship capabilities, and a passion for developing talent.

#sdwanhiring

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $126,500.00 to $182,000.00 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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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:

$152,500.00 - $252,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$135,800.00 - $224,400.00

* 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.