Principal Engineer - AI/ML Network Performance Architect

A Cisco Software Engineering team member is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications that power Cisco networking devices, often focusing on areas like network protocols, device drivers, operating systems, and cloud-based solutions, requiring a strong understanding of networking fundamentals and proficiency in AI ML technologies and testing and to create innovative and reliable software for various Cisco products, collaborating closely with other engineers and teams to ensure seamless integration and high-quality deliverables.

Your Impact

In this role, you will part of a team of engineers and technical leaders in the design and solutions of software features for control plane and data plane on Cisco’s Silicon One platform products. You will be responsible for benchmarking platforms that will be used to build highly scalable, low power, low latency, dense systems for the ever-demanding AI/ML workloads, internet users and applications. You will use modern AI/ML applications, delve into Silicon One and architecture. As a Principal Engineer, you will be part of requirement discussions with the customer and will work on scoping the feature post-closing the requirements. You will take complete ownership of delivering benchmarking related tasks in a timely manner and with outstanding quality. You will be the gatekeeper of the benchmarking high performance silicon related validation in the domains you own. You will gain intimate knowledge of the Silicon One hardware architecture, software programming models and work with the architecture and hardware teams to define the next generation of ASIC products being developed.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical:

• In-depth understanding of how networking hardware (ASIC) work and how different features are implemented.
• Very good understanding of AI/ML model architectures and their implementations.
• Hands-on working knowledge in above areas.

Leadership:

• Ability to work with diverse point of view from different background to understand and drive meaningful outcomes.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior team members.
• Ability to communicate effectively on key technologies in a simplified manner to better lead teams.
• Take ownership of key deliverables and keep team on the track.

• Bachelor's or Master degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development or network engineering, with a proven track record of leading complex projects.
• 2+ years of experience in AI/ML application infrastructure and hands on experience in developing/training models.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to effectively interact with cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to think strategically and make sound technical decisions.
• Experience in mentoring and coaching junior engineers.

#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!

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.