Jobs Companies Cisco Software Engineering Technical Leader- SDET

About this Software Engineering Technical Leader- SDET role at Cisco

Cisco · Onsite · Milpitas, California, US
The application window is expected to close on: 09/19/2026


Meet The team:

Join the Data Center Automation Team, where we build and validate automation for Cisco’s Nexus Dashboard applications that enable large-scale enterprise, Webscale, and AI/ML data center environments. Our work helps customers manage and monitor complex infrastructure with greater speed, reliability, and confidence.

Your Impact:


What You’ll Do: 
•  Review PRD, SFS, and create comprehensive Test plans and customer-facing documentation.
•  Execute software tests, diligently track and log issues, and drive them to resolution while ensuring the verification of bug fixes.
•  Collaborate with Development, Marketing, and Customer-facing teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality software features.
•  Understand and implement Data Center architecture in testing topologies.
•  Implement networking concepts for testing telemetry and programmability technologies.
•  Engage in Early Field Trials and Customer POCs as required.
•  Work closely with field/customer-facing teams to incorporate feedback into internal test  phases and build standard methodologies.
•  Automate switch and software controller testing using Python and Selenium.     
• Identify, evaluate, and implement automation tools, libraries, and technologies to enhance the automation framework.
• Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines for testing and deployment processes.

Minimum Qualifications: 


•    Bachelors + 12 years of related experience, or Masters + 8 years of related experience, or PhD + 5 years of related experience 
•    Experience testing on Networking and Network Management/Controller Application
•    Proficiency in microservices architecture and design principles.
•    5+ years of experience in automation with scripting languages such as Python, Selenium, with a preference for a good understanding of Cisco pyATS infrastructure.
•    Strong experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and container orchestration.

Preferred Qualifications:


•    Knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git).
•    Hands-on experience in building testbeds, scoping testing efforts using technical judgments with minimal supervision.
•    Problem-solving and software troubleshooting skills.
•    Experience in testing Networking technologies such as L2/L3, Vxlan, EVPN and understanding of OAM, Telemetry, Data Center Spine/Leaf architecture, and Programmability (REST/NETCONF/OC, etc.).
•    Experience in testing GUI products, with UI automation skills as a plus.
•    2-3 years’ experience using 3rd party test tools such as Ixia, Spirent, Infoblox, etc., with experience automating using APIs on these tools being a plus.
•    Exposure to CI/CD, Jenkins, and a Test-driven development approach.


 
 

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 $214,100.00 to $309,800.00 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 of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to 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:

$214,100.00 - $356,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$192,400.00 - $317,200.00

* 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.

Ready to apply to Cisco?
Apply to Cisco

How this QA Automation salary compares

This role pays $261,950/yrabove the typical range for QA Automation roles.

$76,800 median $138,825 $200,000

Typical range $107,297–$167,938/yr, from 216 comparable QA Automation listings on JobsRadar (pay annualized to USD). See QA Automation salary insights →

About Cisco

Cisconians power the future. We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale. The depth and breadth of our technology doesn't just benefit our customers – it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn. We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together. Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life’s best work.

See all jobs at Cisco →

Similar jobs

Cisco
Senior QA Automation Engineer - Networking L2/L3
Cisco
⚡ Apply early Milpitas, California, US Hybrid $167,700–$245,200
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 2w ago
Cisco
Senior QA Automation Engineer - Networking L2/L3
Cisco
⚡ Apply early Milpitas, California, US Hybrid $167,700–$245,200
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 1mo ago
Verkada
QA Automation Engineer
Verkada
⚡ Apply early Poland Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 2h ago
Allata
Software Test Engineer (Automation + AI)
Allata
⚡ Apply early Vadodara - Gujarat Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 3h ago
Fivetran
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test - Database Automation
Fivetran
⚡ Apply early Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, A... Hybrid
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 3h ago
ZoomInfo Technologies LLC
SDET II
ZoomInfo Technologies LLC
⚡ Apply early Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Coherent Solutions
QA Automation Engineer (Consulting services)
Coherent Solutions
⚡ Apply early Poland Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 4h ago
Broadridge
Software Engineer (Development & QA Automation) (Hybrid - Coppell, TX )
Broadridge
⚡ Apply early Coppell, TX Hybrid $90,000–$95,000
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 5h ago
Devsu
Semi Senior / Senior QA Automation Engineer - Sector Financiero/Bancario
Devsu
⚡ Apply early Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador Onsite
● New 👁 Seen ✓ Applied 8h ago

Sign up for suggestions tailored to the jobs you open and the searches you save.

More jobs at Cisco

See all jobs at Cisco →

Apply now
🤖

Whoa — hold up

JobsRadar was built for real people having a rough time in their job search — not for automated requests. You're clicking way too fast and you're now temporarily blocked.

Come back later. If you're genuinely job hunting, we've got your back — just act like a human.

Catch your next role the second it’s posted.

Create a free account and we’ll watch the boards for you — the instant a job matches your search, it lands in your inbox or Telegram. No digging, no refreshing.

Create free account

Free forever · takes 30 seconds · already have one?

Get an edge on your job hunt.

Join our Telegram channel for the stuff that helps you land the role — salary benchmarks, the weekly market pulse, and new-feature drops. No spam, just signal.

Join the channel — it's free