Software Engineer - Backend Developer - 5+ Years

Software Engineer Backend Developer - Cloud Security

Cloud Security Engineering at Cisco drives the technology that's transforming how customers secure their networks and, more importantly, their users. We're looking for a Backend Engineer to join our dynamic software development team. The ideal candidate should have strong analytical skills, a well-rounded understanding of both front-end and back-end development, and a passion for learning new technologies and tools for agentic development lifecycle.

About the Role

As a key member of the SSE Control Plane organization, you will be responsible for the design, development, and operation of key microservices focused on Unified Policy and key Distribution Engine related technologies that our Umbrella and Cisco Secure Access products offer. This is a team that achieves significant accomplishments.

Who You'll Work With

The members of the Cloud Security Engineering’s SSE Control plane team build and operate core control plane services for the Umbrella and Cisco Secure Access platform. We are a team that supports learning and experimentation. We work closely with the rest of the Cloud Security Engineering teams and other engineering groups across Cisco.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with a team of developers, designers, project managers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions.
• Work with cross-functional teams to understand their needs for infrastructure, software deployment, and automation.
• Design, build, and optimize scalable applications and APIs, utilizing AI-assisted development tools to accelerate the full software development lifecycle—from initial concept and coding to testing, debugging, and documentation.
• Manage cloud infrastructure and automate software delivery processes by engineering reliable CI/CD pipelines, ensuring a seamless transition from development to production.
• Maintain system health and security through proactive monitoring, cross-platform troubleshooting, and participation in on-call rotations to support production environments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, third-party libraries, and tools by conducting benchmarking and proof-of-concept projects to provide strategic recommendations for the organization’s tech stack.

About You

• You are passionate about developing cloud-native solutions.
• You have strong programming skills and love both building and running applications.
• You are a natural problem-solver and trouble-shooter.
• You can think creatively and are self-motivated.
• You love working together as a team and have a desire to speak up, share ideas, and help members of the team.
• You get excited about experimenting with the latest technologies.
• You love introducing the team to new technologies, frameworks, and points of view.
• You like to collaborate and work closely across teams.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Understanding of networking and security concepts like routing, firewalls, gateways.
• At least 3 years of experience in a software development role.
• Understanding of software development and system administration principles.
• Experience coding in a programming/scripting language like Python, Java, or JavaScript.
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux operating systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker or Kubernetes.
• Basic knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.

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.

Key skills/competency

• Software Engineering
• Backend Development
• Cloud Security
• Microservices
• API Design
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Python
• Java
• JavaScript
• Unix/Linux