Software Engineer Compiler I (Full Time)

About the Role

This posting advertises potential job opportunities. A Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Your Impact

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.
• 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.
• Enhance GDB/LLDB debugging capabilities.
• Build robust automated validation pipelines using Python and CI/CD frameworks.
• Advance DWARF debug format standards.
• Integrate AI-assisted developer productivity tooling into modern engineering workflows.

Success in this role means driving end-to-end toolchain excellence, delivering high-performance code generation improvements, and contributing impactful enhancements to open-source systems.

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.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• A 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Eligibility for grants of Cisco restricted stock units.
• Paid time away includes: 10 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
• Paid vacation time.
• Sick time off.
• Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency issues.
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
• Eligibility to earn annual bonuses.