Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack
Cisco · Milpitas, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $200,000 / year
- Milpitas, CA
Job highlights
- Develop next-gen DPU networking platform.
- Design programmable packet processing pipelines.
- Integrate with DPU SDKs and P4.
- Debug complex host and DPU issues.
- Own features from design to rollout.
About the role
Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack
Cisco is building a next-generation DPU-enabled networking platform for secure, high-performance infrastructure and large-scale AI clusters. Our team is responsible for designing the foundational networking, security, and programmable services that span host systems, DPUs, SmartNICs, and cloud-scale control planes. We work at the intersection of systems software, hardware acceleration, distributed security, and AI infrastructure, creating platforms that deliver line-rate performance, strong isolation, operational reliability, and simplified deployment across modern data center environments.
We are looking for a senior software engineer to develop programmable packet processing pipelines and DPU SDK integrations across modern SmartNIC/DPU platforms, including NVIDIA BlueField, AMD Pensando, and similar architectures. This role focuses on the lower layers of the DPU networking stack: P4 or P4-like pipeline development, vendor SDKs, packet classification, policy enforcement, host networking offload, telemetry, and performance validation. The ideal candidate has strong systems programming skills, deep networking fundamentals, and hands-on experience building or integrating hardware-accelerated data paths.
Your Impact
- Design and implement DPU-based packet-processing pipelines for security, host networking, and network services.
- Work with DPU SDKs, P4 or programmable pipeline models, and vendor-specific offload capabilities.
- Build capabilities for firewall policy enforcement, ACLs, packet classification, metering, telemetry, tunneling, routing, NAT, and load-balancing primitives.
- Develop software across DPU firmware/SDK interfaces, host drivers, Arm-side services, and user-space control components.
- Create portable abstractions across heterogeneous DPU and SmartNIC architectures while preserving platform-specific performance advantages.
- Debug complex issues across host, DPU, SDK, firmware, driver, kernel, and user-space boundaries.
- Validate throughput, latency, scale, offload correctness, failure behavior, and operational visibility.
- Own well-scoped features from design through implementation, testing, performance validation, documentation, and rollout.
- Contribute to design reviews, code reviews, threat modeling, production readiness, and mentoring of other engineers.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of related experience, Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 1+ year.
- Proficient systems programming experience in C/C++, Go, Rust, Python, or similar languages.
- Experience building production networking, packet-processing, security, infrastructure, or systems software.
- Practical knowledge of Linux networking and debugging complex Linux-based systems.
- Ability to independently own medium-sized technical features from design through delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with DPU, SmartNIC, FPGA, ASIC, NPU, or hardware-offloaded networking platforms.
- Experience with NVIDIA BlueField SDKs, AMD Pensando SDKs, P4, programmable packet pipelines, or equivalent data-plane programming models.
- Familiarity with DPDK, OVS, TC flower, eBPF/XDP, SR-IOV, VF/PF, kernel bypass, hardware offload, or packet-processing acceleration.
- Experience with firewall, ACL, segmentation, host networking, tunneling, NAT, VTEP, load balancing, or service chaining.
- Experience profiling and optimizing packet-processing systems for throughput, latency, scale, and reliability.
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
- DPU Networking
- Software Engineering
- Packet Processing
- Systems Programming
- C/C++
- Linux Networking
- NVIDIA BlueField
- AMD Pensando
- P4
- Hardware Acceleration
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- DPU Networking
- Packet Processing
- Systems Programming
- C/C++
- Linux Networking
- NVIDIA BlueField
- AMD Pensando
- P4
- Hardware Acceleration
- Networking
- Security
- Infrastructure
- AI Clusters
- SmartNIC
- Data Center
- Telemetr
- Firmware
- Driver
- Kernel
- User-space
- Throughput
- Latency
- Scale
- Reliability
- Design Reviews
- Code Reviews
- Mentoring
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight C/C++, Go, Rust, Python, and networking experience.
- Showcase DPU/SmartNIC expertise: Emphasize experience with SDKs, P4, and hardware acceleration.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Expect questions on systems programming and Linux networking.
- Demonstrate ownership: Be ready to discuss projects you've led from start to finish.
- Understand Cisco's culture: Research their focus on innovation and collaboration.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the application deadline for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack role at Cisco?
- The application window for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack position at Cisco is expected to close on 07/31/2026. However, please note that the posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
- What is the work arrangement for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack position at Cisco?
- This is a hybrid position located in Milpitas, CA, requiring ideally 3 days per week in the office.
- What programming languages are preferred for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack role at Cisco?
- The Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack role at Cisco prefers proficiency in systems programming languages such as C/C++, Go, Rust, or Python.
- What kind of experience is required for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack position at Cisco?
- A Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of related experience, a Master's with 4+ years, or a PhD with 1+ year is required. Experience in building production networking, packet-processing, security, infrastructure, or systems software, along with practical knowledge of Linux networking, is essential.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack at Cisco?
- Key responsibilities include designing and implementing DPU-based packet-processing pipelines, working with DPU SDKs and P4, building capabilities for various network services, debugging complex issues, and validating system performance.
- What specific DPU platforms are relevant for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking role at Cisco?
- Experience with platforms like NVIDIA BlueField and AMD Pensando, as well as similar architectures, is highly relevant for this Software Engineer, DPU Networking role at Cisco.
- How can I stand out when applying for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking position at Cisco?
- To stand out for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking position at Cisco, highlight hands-on experience with DPU/SmartNIC platforms, programmable packet pipelines like P4, and familiarity with related technologies like DPDK or eBPF. Demonstrating a strong ability to own features from design to delivery is also crucial.
- What is the salary range for the Software Engineer, DPU Networking stack role at Cisco in the US?