Senior Software Engineer – AI / Agentic Automation

The application window is expected to close on: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received . Meet the Team The Cisco IQ and Validation team is developing AI-powered capabilities that transform how network validation and automation are performed. Our engineers work across Agentic AI, LLMs, MCP, A2A, backend services, workflow orchestration, and cloud-native technologies to build production-ready solutions. We are a collaborative global team of engineers, architects, AI specialists, and network automation experts solving complex technical problems together. This is an opportunity to work hands-on with emerging AI technologies while building software that directly contributes to the evolution of Cisco IQ and Validation.

Design, develop, test, deploy, and operate production-grade backend services and AI-enabled automation capabilities for Validation. Build agentic workflows where LLMs interact with tools, APIs, execution engines, and network environments to perform validation activities. Develop and integrate MCP and A2A capabilities, agent routing, tool invocation, workflow orchestration, approval-gated actions, and streaming execution events. Troubleshoot complex issues across application, API, database, workflow, infrastructure, and runtime layers to ensure reliable production operation. Mentor engineers and contribute to technical designs, engineering practices, and continuous improvements across the team.

5+ years of professional software engineering experience in backend, full-stack, automation, or distributed systems development. Bachelor’s degree in STEM + 7 years of professional experience developing, deploying, and maintaining production software or equivalent experience. 3+ years of production-level Python development experience. Experience with Go, Rust, TypeScript, React, Node.js, .NET, PostgreSQL, Redis, Kafka, or similar technologies. 2+ years of experience building REST APIs, database-backed services, distributed workflows, or event-driven applications. 2+ years of experience with Generative AI, LLMs, Agentic AI(multi-agent systems), AI tool integrations, or AI-enabled application development. 2+ years of hands-on experience with Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD, cloud-native deployment, or production software operations. Preferred Qualifications ·   Experience building multi-agent systems, including planner/executor patterns, agent handoffs, state management, retries, checkpointing, or durable workflows. ·   Experience implementing MCP or A2A integrations, including tool discovery, schemas, authentication, context propagation, streaming, or approval workflows. ·   Experience with LangChain, LangGraph, or similar AI/agent development frameworks. ·   Experience with network automation, device connectivity, testing/validation platforms, or infrastructure automation. 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 $167,700.00 to $245,200.00 and reflects the projected