Customer Delivery Architect

Cisco is seeking a Customer Delivery Architect (CDA) to support hyperscale web customers with next-generation data center networking based on SONiC and Cisco Silicon One, focusing on AI/ML and high-performance computing infrastructure.

Location: Seattle area

Salary: $166,500.00 to $234,100.00 (U.S. and Canada, projected range for new hires)

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for SONiC deployments on Cisco Silicon One platforms in large-scale environments.
• Provide architectural guidance and operational support for hyperscale data center fabrics supporting AI/ML workloads.
• Troubleshoot complex issues across the stack including SONiC containers, Linux networking, routing protocols, and ASIC forwarding behavior.
• Perform deep debugging and analysis using Silicon One SDK tools and ASIC telemetry.
• Support validation environments running SONiC and Cisco platforms including NCS5500, Catalyst 8000, Nexus 3000/9000, and NCS1K.
• Collaborate with Cisco silicon architects, SONiC development teams, and software engineering groups.
• Optimize network fabrics for AI/ML clusters using RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) and other high-performance transport mechanisms.
• Guide customers in adopting DevOps operational models, including CI/CD pipelines for SONiC software validation and automation.
• Implement observability, telemetry, and automated validation frameworks.
• Build strong relationships with customer network engineering and infrastructure teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of experience in networking, distributed systems, or hyperscale infrastructure
• Deep knowledge of data center networking architectures and large-scale routing environments
• Strong troubleshooting skills across software, hardware, and network protocols
• Experience working in large production environments with minimal supervision
• Deep hands-on experience with SONiC architecture and operations
• Understanding of SAI, Redis DB model, containerized services, and control-plane architecture
• Strong knowledge of Linux networking stack and kernel internals
• Experience debugging network behavior using Linux tools and system-level diagnostics
• Familiarity with Docker or Kubernetes-based service orchestration
• Experience working with merchant silicon or programmable ASIC platforms
• Exposure to Cisco Silicon One architecture or similar programmable switching silicon
• Ability to analyze packet forwarding pipelines and hardware counters
• Experience supporting AI cluster networking or HPC fabrics
• Knowledge of RoCE networking, congestion management, and performance optimization
• Strong automation experience with Python and Linux tooling
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated infrastructure validation
• Familiarity with open-source development workflows and Git-based collaboration
• Strong working knowledge of BGP, ISIS, MPLS, Segment Routing, VXLAN/EVPN, IPv6
• Platforms include NCS5500, Catalyst 8000/Spitfire, Nexus 3000/9000, NCS1K

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with matching contribution, paid parental leave, disability coverage, life insurance, paid holidays, floating holiday, birthday leave, wellness days, paid volunteer days, and potential stock grants.

Additional Information

• This role supports a strategic hyperscale customer deployment leveraging SONiC and Cisco Silicon One.
• The position is critical for ensuring the reliability, scalability, and performance of networking systems for large compute environments.
• The salary range for U.S. and Canada is $166,500 to $234,100, with specific ranges for New York City Metro Area and non-Metro areas.
• Additional details about compensation and benefits are available on Cisco's careers site.