Principal Software Engineer, Cisco Cloud Control (Hybrid)

Responsibilities

• Join our team to shape and deliver the user experience for Cisco Cloud Control-Cisco's next-generation AI-powered cloud management platform. As a Principal engineer you will:
• Build services and libraries for a model-driven, multi-tenant application platform for consumption by first party and third party developers as well as end customers
• Design and implement stream-processing data pipelines for events, CDC, and near-real-time data movement.
• Translate declarative models into platform behavior such as APIs, schemas, validation, permissions, and runtime contracts.
• Build reusable platform capabilities that application teams consume rather than one-off services.
• Design tenant isolation, access-control boundaries, quotas, and operational guardrails into the platform by default.
• Improve developer experience through clear APIs, code generation, testing patterns, operational tooling, and spec-driven GitHub workflows.
• Partner with product and application teams to turn ambiguous requirements into concrete, testable increments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 15 years of experience, Master's with 12 years, or PhD with 8 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to build and operate scalable, highly distributed multi-tenant systems with strict isolation and security boundaries.
• Expertise in stream-processing architectures using Kafka or equivalent technologies, including experience with Change Data Capture (CDC) systems like Kafka Connect.
• Experience in building external-facing developer platforms or infrastructure-focused products.
• Proficiency in end-to-end system design (including observability, failure handling, and ergonomics) and the implementation of complex authorization models such as RBAC, ABAC, or policy-based enforcement.
• An AI-first mindset paired with the ability to exercise sound technical judgment and decompose vague, complex problems into well-scoped, actionable deliverables.
• Experience building shared infrastructure, abstractions, and "paved roads" that enhance productivity across engineering teams.
• Proficiency in spec-driven and schema-driven development, including the use of code generation, strongly typed API contracts, and implementation traceability.
• Understanding of the unique architecture and operational constraints associated with both SaaS and on-premise deployment models.
• Ability to mentor immediate team members while effectively driving technical decision-making across cross-functional and cross-organizational boundaries.
• Why Cisco?
• 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 $231,400.00 to $331,800.00 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.
• 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,

Benefits

Additional Information

The application window is expected to close on: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received . This is a hybrid opportunity based out of Cisco's San Jose office. Meet the Team Cisco Cloud Control: Cisco Cloud Control is redefining how enterprises operate - a unified, AI-native platform that brings Networking, Security, Observability, Compute, and Collaboration under a single, intelligent management pane. We are a high-velocity team with outsized scope and executive backing. We ship iteratively, measure relentlessly, and obsess over time-to-value for customers and the ecosystem alike.

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