# Principal Software Engineer

**Company**: Cisco
**Location**: San Jose, California
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: full-time
**Salary**: $250,600.00 to $362,600.00
**Category**: Engineering
**Industry**: Technology

**Apply**: https://cisco.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Cisco_Careers/job/San-Jose-California-US/Principal-Engineer--Quantum-Software-Development_2026425?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_a1512e46-6e1

## Description

Outshift is Cisco’s incubation team, built to chase technologies that do not fit anywhere else yet. Our quantum group runs Cisco Quantum Labs, where we are building real hardware and software for the quantum internet. This includes an entanglement chip developed in collaboration with UC Santa Barbara and the new Cisco Universal Quantum Switch. We also host our own Quantum Summit every year. Join us to lead and innovate at the forefront of quantum networking and computing.

As a Principal Software Engineer and hands-on technical leader, you will guide a team of engineers while actively contributing to the architecture and development of quantum software and hardware systems. You will develop and implement distributed systems, ensuring flawless hardware-software integration for our quantum networking initiatives. By leveraging your expertise in software architecture and quantum mechanics, you will drive the development of quantum control, orchestration, and error correction solutions. Your leadership will directly influence the technical direction of realizing Cisco’s vision for the Quantum Data Center, crafting the future of the quantum internet.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Bachelors + 15 years of related experience, or Masters + 12 years of related experience, or PhD + 8 years of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.

- 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on software architecture, system design, and distributed systems.

- Experience using Golang and/or Python to design and deliver scalable, production-grade applications.

- Experience in a technical leadership or people management role, maintaining hands-on contributions to codebases and system architecture.

- Experience in hardware-software integration and co-design, supported by a foundational understanding of quantum mechanics and complex system architectures.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Sophisticated expertise in quantum control and orchestration for quantum networking or computing systems.

- Direct experience developing and implementing error correction and noise mitigation strategies in quantum environments.

- Experience leading innovative technology products from early-stage development to commercial readiness.

- Experience mentoring engineers, foster an inclusive team culture, and collaborate across cross-functional research and development groups.

- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Physics, Quantum Engineering, or a related technical field.

The starting salary range posted for this position is $250,600.00 to $362,600.00 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. 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.

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## Skills

### Required
- Golang
- Python
- software architecture
- distributed systems
- quantum mechanics
- hardware-software integration

### Nice to have
- quantum control and orchestration
- error correction and noise mitigation
- leadership
- mentoring engineers

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Source: [Apply at cisco.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com](https://cisco.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Cisco_Careers/job/San-Jose-California-US/Principal-Engineer--Quantum-Software-Development_2026425?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)