Cisco Hiring Software Development Engineer I (SDE I) | 0–2 Years Experience | Bengaluru, India
Cisco is hiring for the role of Software Development Engineer I (SDE I) with experience 0–2 years, offering an exciting career opportunity for fresh graduates and early-career professionals who are passionate about software engineering, backend development, and building scalable systems used by millions globally. Cisco is a world-leading technology company known for its networking solutions, cloud services, cybersecurity platforms, and cutting-edge enterprise technologies. Becoming an SDE I at Cisco means joining a culture of innovation where you will work on real engineering problems that impact global products and services.
This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, writing clean and efficient code, and collaborating with high-performing technical teams. Freshers in this role will be exposed to modern software practices, large codebases, and industry-standard development workflows that accelerate career growth and deepen technical skills.
Job Overview
- Company: Cisco
- Position: Software Development Engineer I (SDE I)
- Experience Required: 0–2 Years
- Qualification: Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Employment Type: Full-Time
This role is designed for candidates who want to contribute to backend systems and part of core development activities within Cisco’s engineering organisation.
About the Role
As a Software Development Engineer I, you will work on backend development tasks that support Cisco’s product suite. You will contribute to building robust, scalable, and secure software solutions that help drive business value and improve end-user experiences. The role involves designing backend components, working with services, APIs, and database layers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality features.
At Cisco, engineers are encouraged to think critically, propose technical improvements, and learn through both hands-on work and mentorship from seasoned developers. This helps freshers transition from academic learning to real-world software engineering, building confidence in solving engineering challenges and contributing to live systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, and maintain backend components and services
- Write clean, efficient, and scalable code using modern programming practices
- Collaborate with product managers, designers, and quality engineers to deliver impactful features
- Debug and troubleshoot issues in development and test environments
- Participate in code reviews to maintain high code quality standards
- Support integration with databases, APIs, and third-party systems
- Follow secure development practices and adhere to project requirements
- Contribute to documentation of technical designs and implementation details
These responsibilities are aligned with real engineering requirements in software companies — from writing production-ready code to maintaining long-term system health.
Skills Required
To succeed in this role, candidates should have:
- Strong fundamentals in programming and software engineering principles
- Proficiency in at least one backend language such as Java, Python, Go, or C++
- Good understanding of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design
- Ability to write efficient, readable, and maintainable code
- Familiarity with databases, APIs, and backend architectures
- Basic knowledge of version control systems like Git
- Analytical problem-solving skills and logical reasoning
- Good communication and collaboration skills
Exposure to distributed systems, cloud platforms, microservices architectures, RESTful APIs, or container technologies is a plus but not mandatory for fresh graduates.
Who Can Apply
- Fresh graduates with strong programming skills
- Early-career engineers with internship or project experience
- Candidates interested in backend software development
- Individuals who enjoy building technology solutions and solving engineering problems
Cisco values candidates who are curious, adaptable, and ready to learn in a fast-paced technology environment.
Why This Role Is a Strong Career Opportunity
The Software Development Engineer I role at Cisco offers exposure to real enterprise software systems used by global customers. Working here helps engineers understand how products scale, handle real-world usage patterns, and interact across services and platforms. The knowledge and skills gained in this role are highly valuable — whether you continue your career in backend development, systems architecture, or other technology leadership paths.
This role also provides a strong base for learning newer technologies, improving problem-solving capabilities, and mastering industry best practices early in your career.
Work Culture and Learning Environment
Cisco promotes a collaborative, inclusive, and innovation-driven work culture. Engineering teams focus on continuous improvement, quality delivery, and knowledge sharing. Freshers are encouraged to participate in learning initiatives, technical discussions, and mentoring programs to accelerate their growth.
The company emphasises work-life balance as well as professional development through training, certifications, and exposure to diverse technology stacks.
Career Growth Path
With experience and strong performance, professionals in this role can grow into:
- Software Engineer II
- Backend Specialist
- Senior Software Engineer
- Technical Lead
- Solutions Architect
Cisco supports internal mobility and long-term career progression across technical, product, and leadership tracks.
About Cisco
Cisco is a global technology leader that designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and high-technology services and products. Known for powering secure, scalable, and reliable enterprise networks, Cisco also leads in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, and collaboration tools. Cisco’s technology footprint spans connectivity, infrastructure, and software platforms used by millions of businesses and individuals worldwide.
How to Apply
Aspiring candidates should apply via Cisco’s official careers portal. Before applying, ensure your resume highlights your technical skills, academic projects, internships, and any practical coding experience. Tailoring your resume to showcase backend skills and problem-solving examples can strengthen your application.
