Software Engineer

Join Cisco Wireless and help transform the network experience with our innovative wireless solutions. Enhance speed and security, and apply AI/ML for real-time insights, continuous monitoring and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity including the latest Wi-Fi 7 technologies with sophisticated IoT management. Be part of the future of networking with us. Our impact is driven by the innovative, purposeful, and vibrant people who make up our inclusive community. When technology is intuitive, our customers can focus on what matters.

About the team:

At Cisco, we are powering the future of enterprise connectivity. Our Wireless and Smart Spaces teams develop secure, scalable, and intelligent wireless solutions that support everything from connected hospitals to smart campuses and industrial automation

The Smart Spaces team works across embedded platforms, cloud-managed services, and real-time wireless systems to deliver magnificent performance and innovation at scale.

About the role:

As a Software Engineer, you will contribute to the design, development, and integration of embedded software for Cisco's next-generation wireless platforms. You will focus on developing platform-level software and wireless features while collaborating across teams to deliver high-quality solutions. You'll also have the opportunity to use Generative Artificial Intelligence tools to improve your efficiency and accelerate development workflows.

If you're passionate about embedded systems, wireless networking, and solving real-world challenges, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain software components for wireless platforms including access points and controllers.
• Write efficient, reliable C/C++ & Python code for embedded systems.
• Participate in system bring-up, protocol feature development, performance tuning, and bug fixing.
• Using Generative Artificial Intelligence tools (e.g. GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Cursor) to streamline code development and reviews.
• Collaborate with hardware and QA teams to ensure software integration and testability.
• (Optional) Contribute to automated test frameworks or validation tools as needed.

Required Skills:

• 4+ years of first-hand software development experience, ideally in embedded systems or networking
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python
• Good understanding of TCP/IP networking, system-level debugging, and Linux-based environments
• Experience with version control, build systems, and debugging tools
• Exposure to Generative AI tools for development (or eagerness to adopt them)
• Strong analytical skills and a growth mindset
• Effective communication and teamwork skills in multi-functional settings

Bonus Points for:

• Experience with 802.11/Wi-Fi protocols or wireless feature development
• Familiarity with kernel modules, network stack tuning, or real-time performance debugging
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines or system integration test environments
• Knowledge of cloud-managed wireless solutions or network controllers
• Interest or experience in automation or validation frameworks

Does this sound like you? We'd love to hear from you

At Cisco Meraki, we're challenging the status quo with the power of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. When we connect different perspectives, we can imagine new possibilities, inspire innovation, and release the full potential of our people. We're building an employee experience that includes appreciation, belonging, growth, and purpose for everyone.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.