Software QA Engineer – Cisco (Bangalore)

Job Overview

Cisco is seeking Software QA Engineers for potential opportunities in its Quality Engineering organization in Bangalore. The role focuses on validating enterprise networking products and software features for Catalyst 9000 switching platforms. You will work across functional testing, performance, resiliency, security, interoperability, automation and system validation to help deliver reliable networking solutions.

This opportunity is well suited to engineers who combine software testing skills with practical networking knowledge. The position involves building automated validation solutions with Python, investigating complex issues at the protocol level and working closely with developers, architects, product managers and customer-facing teams. The posting represents potential future opportunities, so applying does not necessarily mean the exact position is open immediately.

Key Responsibilities

• Define comprehensive test approaches for enterprise switching software across functionality, scale, performance, security, resiliency and interoperability.
• Build and maintain scalable test automation frameworks using Python.
• Develop automated coverage for feature validation, regression, integration, upgrade and customer deployment scenarios.
• Validate Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, security, management and platform capabilities.
• Work with engineering and product teams to understand requirements and convert them into practical validation plans.
• Use AI-assisted development tools to improve automation productivity, coverage and engineering efficiency.
• Develop CI/CD-based validation pipelines that support continuous testing and faster software releases.
• Investigate complex software and networking defects through protocol-level debugging and packet analysis.
• Track quality metrics, assess risks and contribute to release readiness decisions.
• Reproduce customer issues with support and field teams and verify corrective software changes.
• Share testing, troubleshooting and automation practices with other engineers.

Required Skills

Candidates should have practical Software QA, system validation or network testing experience and strong knowledge of enterprise switching products. Important areas include Layer 2 switching, Layer 3 routing, networking security and automated testing.

Core networking knowledge includes VLAN, VTP, STP, RSTP, MST, EtherChannel, LACP, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, DNS, DHCP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, VRF, Multicast, ACL, QoS, AAA, RADIUS, TACACS+, high availability and redundancy.

Security testing exposure should include 802.1X, MACsec, TrustSec, Port Security, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection and IP Source Guard.

Strong Python automation skills are required along with experience using REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, JSON and YAML. Experience with PyTest, Robot Framework or comparable automation frameworks is valuable.

Candidates should also understand Linux administration and troubleshooting, Git-based development workflows, virtualization and container technologies. Practical debugging using Wireshark, tcpdump, Ixia, Spirent or network protocol analyzers is important for investigating system-level issues.

Preferred Skills

Experience with AI-assisted engineering tools such as GitHub Copilot, Codex, Claude and VS Code extensions is useful. Exposure to VMware, KVM, Docker or Kubernetes can further strengthen a candidate's profile.

Education

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology or a related discipline is required.

Experience

The opportunity requires at least 1 year of experience in Software QA, system validation or network testing. Strong hands-on networking and automation experience is particularly relevant.

Required Technologies

Python, PyTest, Robot Framework, Git, Linux, REST API, NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, JSON, YAML, Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, KVM, Wireshark, tcpdump, Ixia, Spirent, GitHub Copilot, Codex, Claude, VS Code, CI/CD, Catalyst 9000, VLAN, VTP, STP, RSTP, MST, EtherChannel, LACP, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, DNS, DHCP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, VRF, Multicast, ACL, QoS, AAA, RADIUS, TACACS+, 802.1X, MACsec, TrustSec.

Soft Skills

Strong analytical thinking, structured troubleshooting, clear communication, collaboration, attention to detail and the ability to explain technical problems are important for this role. Engineers should also be comfortable working with multiple technical teams and handling complex end-to-end validation problems.

Benefits of Working in this Role

This role provides practical exposure to enterprise networking, software quality engineering, automation and modern validation practices. Engineers can deepen their knowledge of large-scale switching platforms while working with development, architecture, product and customer-facing teams.

Work Mode

Hybrid.

Location

Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Who Should Apply

Software QA engineers, network test engineers and system validation professionals with at least one year of relevant experience should consider this opportunity. Candidates with strong Python automation and enterprise networking knowledge are especially relevant.

Career Growth

The role can help engineers build expertise across network software testing, automation, CI/CD validation, security testing and troubleshooting. Continued experience with large-scale networking systems can support progression toward senior quality engineering, automation engineering and technical leadership responsibilities.

Application Advice

Highlight hands-on work with enterprise switching, Python automation, network protocols and system validation. Mention specific testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, packet analysis tools and networking technologies you have used. Projects involving Catalyst platforms, Layer 2 or Layer 3 validation, security testing, REST or network automation can make your application more relevant.