Senior Software Engineering Technical Lead

The application window is expected to close on: October 8, 2025.

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of qualified applicants is reached. This position does not offer relocation.

Meet the Team

Join Cisco's world-class Compilers and Toolchains team, responsible for designing and developing the next generation of high-performance compilers and developer tools. We collaborate across global engineering, work closely with upstream open-source communities, and drive innovation in software that underpins networking, security, and emerging hardware architectures. Our team's expertise spans CLANG/LLVM, GCC, and a variety of embedded and enterprise platforms.

Your Impact

As a Senior Software Engineering Technical Lead (CLANG), you will shape the technical strategy and execution for our compiler and toolchain initiatives. In this pivotal role, you'll lead the development of advanced CLANG/LLVM features, mentor a talented team, and drive impactful improvements in code generation, optimization, and developer productivity. This is your opportunity to make a visible difference on software used at scale across industries, while collaborating with open-source communities and internal partners.

*Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance on CLANG/LLVM-based compiler projects

*Design, implement, and optimize new compiler features and backend support for a variety of architectures (e.g., RISC-V, ARM, AArch64, x86_64, POWER, AVR)

*Diagnose, resolve, and prevent complex bugs and performance issues in compiler toolchains

*Automate, run, and analyze nightly benchmark suites for performance, code size, and reliability

*Mentor, review, and support engineers through code and design reviews, fostering growth and quality

Minimum Qualifications

*Bachelors degree in STEM

*10+ years of experience in compiler development and toolchain engineering

*Experience with CLANG/LLVM architecture and backend code generation

*Expertise in C/C++ programming and debugging with tools such as gdb and Valgrind

*Experience in performance benchmarking and optimization for multiple architectures

Preferred Qualifications

*Prior leadership experience in compiler/toolchain projects or technical mentoring

*Proven track record of contributions to open-source compiler communities (e.g., LLVM)

*Experience facilitating migration from GCC to LLVM/CLANG

*Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience presenting at conferences

*Familiarity with automation, continuous integration, and benchmarking frameworks

#WeAreCisco

where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection-we celebrate our employees' diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer-80 hours each year-allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!