Software Engineer | C or C++, Packet/Slow Path , L2& L3 Protocols | Bangalore | 5 to 7 years

Meet the Team You will join the MIG Platform Forwarding team, the engine room behind the world’s most robust service provider networks. We build the high-performance data plane software that powers IOS-XR platforms, leveraging cutting-edge Silicon One (Si. One) Network Processing Units (NPUs). Our team operates at the intersection of hardware and software, defining how packets traverse the internet's backbone.

We are transitioning into a new era of embedded development, utilizing modern AI-assisted methodologies to deliver features faster and with higher quality. Your Impact As a Software Engineer, you will focus on the hands-on design, coding, and optimization of our forwarding software. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality code for complex Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding features , , ensuring they extract maximum performance from our NPUs.

You will act as a key technical contributor, applying modern software practices and AI-driven workflows to streamline development and debugging. Feature Design & Implementation : Own the develop and development of specific forwarding features within the IOS-XR platform. Write high-performance, production-grade code for QOS, Mirroring , Slowpath , OAM, Layer 2 (EVPN, VPLS) and Layer 3 (SRv6, Segment Routing, MPLS) technologies.

NPU Data Plane Programming: Implement data plane logic to optimize packet processing. Translate network protocol requirements into efficient NPU microcode and SDK interactions. Debugging & Root Cause Analysis : Investigate and resolve complex software defects found during internal testing or customer deployments. Analyze logs, core dumps, and packet traces to distinguish between NPU behavior and software logic issues.

Performance Optimization: Profile and tune code to minimize latency and maximize throughput, ensuring the software meets strict service provider performance metrics. Modern Development Practices : Actively utilize AI/LLM-based tools for code generation, unit test creation, and static analysis to improve individual productivity and code quality.

Network Knowledge & Debugging: Service Provider Context: Understanding of router deployments in Service Provider networks (Core, Peering). Technical Troubleshooting: Ability to debug issues at the component level, including hardware/software interactions and memory management.

Minimum Qualifications

5-7 years of experience in embedded software development for networking products. Strong programming skills in C/C++ and scripting in Python Proven knowledge of carrier-grade networking OS and forwarding architectures. Experience debugging sophisticated embedded software issues. Experience working on tools such as Clearcase, Valgrind, DDTS, GDB, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with IOS-XR or similar carrier-grade network operating systems Knowledge of Internet Protocols (TCP/UDP, IPv4/IPv6). Exposure to Networking Protocols (L2/L3, QoS, ACLs,). Experience with BCM , Sione,, Ezchip NPU programming Familiarity with AI/ML tools for software engineering (e.g., Copilot for code, AI for log analysis).

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.

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