Job Overview

Cisco is hiring an Embedded Software Engineer for its Common Hardware Group in Bangalore. This role focuses on diagnostic and Board Support Package software for networking products. The position combines embedded programming, Linux hardware bring-up, device driver development, diagnostics, testing, and hardware-software debugging.

You will work on software for Cisco routing products and develop kernel and user-space components that interact with FPGA and networking peripherals. The role is suited to engineers who enjoy low-level programming, embedded systems, Linux internals, and solving complex hardware-software integration problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop BSP and diagnostic software for Cisco core and edge routing products.
• Develop and test Linux kernel and user-space device drivers for FPGA and networking peripherals.
• Work on embedded software components that interact directly with hardware.
• Perform Linux hardware bring-up and investigate hardware-software integration issues.
• Create and execute software test plans for embedded components and device drivers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to debug prototypes and validate software.
• Troubleshoot defects across kernel modules, device drivers, and application layers.
• Develop reliable multi-threaded software using event handling and state-machine concepts.
• Work with hardware interfaces including I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and GPIO.
• Contribute to system design, specifications, requirements reviews, and software quality activities.
• Support software development from concept through testing and delivery.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to mentoring and continuous learning.

Required Skills

Strong programming ability in C, C++, and Python is required. Candidates should have a solid background in embedded software, hardware integration, Linux, and device driver development.

Experience with Linux hardware bring-up is important, along with practical understanding of multi-threading, event handling, and state-machine implementation. The position also requires experience developing, debugging, and validating embedded systems and device drivers.

Hands-on exposure to interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, and GPIO is expected. Strong troubleshooting skills are essential because many issues may involve interaction between hardware, firmware, kernel components, drivers, and applications.

Preferred Skills

Experience with Linux kernel debugging tools such as GDB and KGDB is preferred. Candidates who have developed software for large-scale, high-bandwidth systems can bring additional value to the role.

Useful additional experience includes debugging kernel modules and application software, collaborative system design, specification writing, requirements review, and software quality processes. Exposure to AI and machine learning, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols, network processors, or optical networking is also beneficial.

Knowledge of secure boot, open-source tools, CMIS, and SFF standards such as SFP and QSFP is preferred. Experience in networking, optics, or embedded systems can strengthen an application.

Education

Candidates can qualify with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience. A Master’s degree with 2+ years of relevant experience is also accepted according to the provided qualifications.

Experience

The job title indicates a 5 to 7 year experience range. The minimum qualification also states 4+ years for Bachelor’s degree holders or 2+ years for Master’s degree holders. Candidates should therefore assess their profile against both the stated experience range and the education-based minimum qualification.

Relevant experience should include embedded software development, C or C++ programming, Linux, device drivers, hardware bring-up, debugging, and hardware-software integration.

Required Technologies

• C
• C++
• Python
• Linux
• Linux Kernel
• Linux Kernel Modules
• Board Support Package (BSP)
• Device Drivers
• GDB
• KGDB
• I2C
• SPI
• UART
• PCIe
• GPIO
• FPGA
• Multi-threading
• Event Handling
• State Machines
• Layer 2 Networking
• Layer 3 Networking
• Secure Boot
• CMIS
• SFP
• QSFP
• Open-source Tools
• Network Processors
• Optical Networking
• AI/ML

Soft Skills

The role requires strong analytical and problem-solving ability. Embedded engineers often need to trace failures across several system layers, so a methodical approach to debugging and root-cause investigation is important.

Clear communication and collaboration are also essential. You will work with cross-functional teams during prototype debugging, requirements reviews, system design, testing, and validation. Candidates should be comfortable discussing technical issues, documenting engineering decisions, reviewing requirements, and sharing knowledge with other engineers.

Benefits of Working in this Role

This position provides practical exposure to Cisco networking hardware and embedded software. Engineers can deepen their knowledge of BSP development, Linux kernel components, device drivers, diagnostics, hardware interfaces, and networking systems.

The role also offers opportunities to work across hardware and software boundaries and build experience with complex networking products. The team environment described in the job posting supports technical learning, collaboration, mentoring, and continuous improvement.

Work Mode

The job listing identifies this position as hybrid. Candidates should be prepared to work in a hybrid arrangement according to team and business requirements.

Location

The position is based in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is suitable for embedded software engineers with hands-on experience in C, C++, Linux, device drivers, and hardware bring-up. Professionals who have worked with networking hardware, FPGA peripherals, Linux kernel development, diagnostics, or embedded validation should consider applying.

Candidates with experience in I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, GPIO, multi-threading, event handling, state machines, and kernel debugging are closely aligned with the technical requirements. Additional exposure to networking protocols, optical systems, secure boot, network processors, or AI/ML can be useful.

Career Growth

The role can help experienced embedded engineers strengthen their expertise in Linux, device drivers, BSP development, diagnostics, networking hardware, and hardware-software integration. Cross-functional work can also develop system design, technical communication, testing, and debugging skills.

Engineers can build deeper technical ownership in embedded networking, kernel development, diagnostics, and hardware validation while contributing to complex product engineering work.

Application Advice

Highlight C, C++, Python, Linux, embedded software, and device driver experience clearly on your resume. Include practical experience with Linux hardware bring-up, BSP development, kernel debugging, FPGA peripherals, and hardware interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, or GPIO.

Mention GDB, KGDB, multi-threading, state machines, networking protocols, secure boot, optical networking, network processors, or AI/ML when they accurately reflect your experience. Also emphasize debugging, testing, cross-functional collaboration, system design, and software delivery experience.