Software Engineer, Backend (Hybrid)

The application window is expected to close on: 09/21/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .

This is a hybrid role based out of Cisco's San Jose office.

Studio is the experience where anyone-engineers, non-technical builders, and AI agents-can go from a prompt to a running, production-grade app. It brings together an App Builder and a bring-your-own coding-agent path, with the docs and resources to build and manage apps your own way. We're building the platform for AI app development, and Studio is the craft-defined surface on top of it.

Pioneers in our field, AISP enables Cisco product teams, customers, and partners to maximize value with a simple, unified Cisco AI experience, driving accelerated time to impact .

As a Backend Developer , you will contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of our backend AI/ML platform technologies. You will work within established procedures to solve straightforward technical problems, analyze system data, and collaborate with your team to improve the efficiency and reliability of our AI-powered applications.

- Contribute to the design and implementation of AI/ML platform components for Cisco's AI products under the guidance of senior engineering staff.

- Assist in the deployment, testing, and validation of AI/ML infrastructure and services within a production environment.

- Analyze performance data and troubleshoot routine technical issues to ensure service reliability.

- Collaborate with cross-functional team members to implement process improvements and support standard operational workflows.

- Build foundational knowledge of AI tools, LLM frameworks, and distributed systems to support the team's broader technical objectives .

- Bachelor's degree in STEM + 2 years of related experience, or Master's degree in STEM.

- Professional experience building or maintaining ML systems in a production environment.

- Programming experience using Python and/or Go .

- Experience deploying and managing services on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).

- Experience using containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and microservices architectures.

- Exposure to integrating and building with Generative AI technologies and LLM frameworks.

- Interest in modern AI tools, ML methodologies, and data pipelines.

- Ability to learn quickly and apply best practices to improve product quality and service efficiency.

- Strong desire to grow skills in designing reliable, maintainable, and distributed backend systems.

- Experience participating in team-based projects and contributing to cross-functional initiatives.

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 $125,700.00 to $176,600.00 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 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:

* 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.