Compiler Software Engineer II

Network Engineering builds the foundational software and hardware systems that connect the world. Within our Core Platform Software and Toolchains organization, our team develops, optimizes, and maintains the mission-critical compiler, debugger, and code analysis toolchains that power Cisco IOS-XE, Silicon One, and cloud-scale routing platforms.

As a Compiler Software Engineer II, you will architect, implement, and optimize advanced compilation, code analysis, and debugging toolchains that power Cisco's core networking platforms. You will develop sophisticated compiler transformations and runtime diagnostic tools in modern C/C++, optimize LLVM/GCC backends and intermediate representations (IR) for ARM64 and x86 architectures, and enhance GDB/LLDB debugging capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Meet one of the following (completed within the past 3 years or expected to be completed within the next 12 months):
• A Bachelor's degree with 0 years of work experience;
• An educational or workforce development program (e.g., Associate's, Apprenticeship, Boot camp, or Certification) with 1 year of work experience;
• A High school diploma (or equivalent) with 2 years of work experience.
• Qualifying education and work experience should be in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency in C or C++ with a strong foundational understanding of memory management, pointer arithmetic, and data structures.
• Foundational understanding of computer architecture (ARM or x86), operating system fundamentals (processes, memory management), and the ability to read assembly language.
• Coursework, academic research, or hands-on project experience in compiler construction, code generation, LLVM infrastructure, or debugger fundamentals (GDB, LLDB, DWARF).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with LLVM, Clang, GCC, or GDB open-source toolchains, including writing custom LLVM passes or toolchain extensions.
• Familiarity with DWARF debug format specifications, object file structures (ELF), symbol tables, and binary analysis utilities (GNU Binutils).
• Practical experience developing test automation scripts using Python and Linux shell utilities in a CI/CD environment.
• Experience configuring or cross-compiling toolchains for Embedded Linux or networking operating systems (routers/switches).
• Interest or experience integrating AI-assisted developer tools or modern IDE plugins (VSCode, Language Server Protocol / DAP) to enhance software development workflows.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Paid time away (vacation, holidays, sick time)
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

Salary Range: $107,800.00 - $157,400.00 (New York City Metro Area) $94,800.00 - $140,000.00 (Non-Metro New York state & Washington state)