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Cisco Systems, Inc.

Windows Driver Lead at Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc. Milpitas, California

Job Description

The application window is expected to close on: 02/05/2026

NOTE: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Join the Cisco UCS organization-a dynamic group of hardworking engineers driving innovation at the intersection of compute, networking, and AI. Our team is dedicated to developing scalable software solutions for next-generation, AI-optimized data centers. With deep expertise in I/O architecture, driver and kernel development, embedded systems, and networking and storage software, we tackle complex challenges with creativity and precision. Collaboration, diversity, and mutual support are the cornerstones of our culture, empowering us to build cutting-edge technologies together.

Your Impact

  • Crucial to the role are the capability and the will to learn, understand, implement, improve, explain, promote Cisco VIC based innovative networking technologies. Part of the job are design and development responsibilities in at least one of the following areas:

  • Windows's driver for high-speed networking adapters, PCIe devices or inter-connects

  • Debug and troubleshoot using windows kernel debugger tools

  • ASIC based networking features, processing offloads and SmartNIC features for UCS deployments in enterprise/provider virtualized data centers, network edge, cloud and SDN

  • Networking control and management plane protocols, including interactions with the UCS Manager and the Cisco Nexus Operating system.

  • Knowledgeable about NDKPI (SMB-Direct (RDMA)) stack.

  • Deep understanding of Windows Kernel Internals, Development and Certification environment

  • Knowledgeable about PCIe (PCI Express) protocol and Kernel PCIe Subsystems.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

  • 8+ years of experience in C/C++ programming, with a strong background in device driver or kernel development (preferably on Windows platforms)

  • Experience in debugging with WinDbg and skilled in analyzing and prioritizing Windows crash dumps

  • Experience using tools like Tcpdump/Wireshark to analyze network traffic

  • Experience with RDMA and RoCEv2 protocols

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge in GPU direct / DirectGMA / Multi-GPU preferred

  • Storage protocols, such as FC / FCoE, iSCSI / SCSI, NVMeOF (RDMA / TCP) preferred


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.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $183,800.00 to $263,600.00 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. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

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. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$183,800.00 - $303,100.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$163,600.00 - $269,800.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

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