The application window is expected to close on: 08/28/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Hardware Engineer (hybrid) - 2011668

*hybrid role requiring some on site work activity each week in San Jose CA office*

Meet the Team:

Cisco Systems is seeking a System Level Test Engineer to validate and ensure the quality of next-generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.

Who You Are:

In this role, you will drive end-to-end system validation across hardware, firmware, and software stacks, ensuring robust performance, scalability, and reliability under real-world and stress conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

System Validation & Integration

• Define and execute system-level validation strategies for complex networking platforms

• Validate end-to-end functionality across hardware, OS, and networking software stacks

• Perform feature, regression, interoperability, and scale testing

Test Development & Automation

• Develop automated test frameworks using Python, C/C++, or similar languages

• Build scalable validation environments for high-throughput networking systems

• Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation

Performance & Scale Testing

• Design and execute tests for throughput, latency, packet loss, and scale limits

• Validate system behavior under high traffic loads and real-world network conditions

• Analyze system performance across L2/L3 protocols and data center workloads

Debug & Root Cause Analysis

• Debug complex issues spanning ASICs, firmware, drivers, and network OS

• Perform root cause analysis using logs, traces, and lab instrumentation

• Collaborate with design and software teams to resolve issues efficiently

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with ASIC, hardware design, software, and architecture teams

• Influence design decisions by identifying system-level risks early

• Work with customers and field teams to reproduce and resolve issues

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

• 4+ years of experience in system validation, networking test, or hardware/software integration

• Strong knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching)

• Experience with Linux systems and debugging tools

• Programming/scripting experience (Python, C/C++, or similar)

• Hands-on experience with system-level debugging and validation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with data center networking (leaf-spine, VXLAN, EVPN)

• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces (Ethernet 25G/100G/400G, PCIe)

• Experience testing network operating systems (NX-OS, IOS-XR, or similar)

• Knowledge of traffic generators (Ixia, Spirent) and network test tools

• Experience with automation frameworks and large-scale testbeds

• Background in ASIC bring-up or platform validation

SiOps

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. 

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $138,100.00 to $196,500.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks.  Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

• Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

• Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next

• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. 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 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$138,100.00 - $226,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$124,000.00 - $201,000.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.