Software Development Test Engineer
Cisco
About the role
Cisco is a global leader in networking, cybersecurity, collaboration, cloud and infrastructure solutions. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Cisco enables enterprises, service providers and public sector organizations to connect, secure and manage their digital ecosystems. The company invests heavily in research and development, fostering a culture of innovation where engineers work on cuttingβedge technologies such as optical networking, AIβdriven automation and nextβgeneration cloud platforms.
Ciscoβs commitment to employee growth is reflected in its extensive learning programs, mentorship opportunities and clear career ladders that allow talent to progress from individual contributor roles to senior technical or leadership positions.
The role of Software Development Test Engineer in Bangalore focuses on building robust, automated test frameworks for Ciscoβs optical networking products, including DWDM, ROADM and optical line systems. The engineer will write Pythonβbased test scripts, develop unit and integration tests, and collaborate closely with product and hardware teams to validate software functionality against realβworld deployment scenarios. This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing candidates to work from the stateβofβtheβart Cisco campus while also leveraging remote flexibility for focused development tasks.
Key responsibilities include
- Design, develop and maintain Python test automation suites for optical networking solutions.
- Create and execute functional, regression, performance and reliability test cases.
- Work with crossβfunctional engineering teams to translate customer deployment requirements into test strategies.
- Debug and troubleshoot software defects on Linux platforms, providing clear rootβcause analysis.
- Participate in code reviews, ensuring adherence to secure coding standards and best practices.
- Contribute to continuous integration pipelines by integrating automated tests into CI/CD workflows.
- Monitor test execution metrics, triage incidents, and support postβincident reviews.
- Document test plans, test cases, and results in a clear, reproducible manner.
- Mentor junior team members on test automation techniques and optical networking fundamentals.
- Estimate effort for test tasks, communicate progress and proactively address blockers.
The technical stack revolves around Python, pytest or unittest frameworks, Linux commandβline tools, Git for version control, and CI platforms such as Jenkins or GitLab. Knowledge of optical networking conceptsβDWDM, ROADM, and optical line systemsβis essential, as is familiarity with networking protocols and hardware interfaces. Candidates with exposure to Agile methodologies and testβdriven development will thrive.
Growth path for a Software Development Test Engineer at Cisco typically progresses from Engineer I to Engineer II, Senior Engineer, and eventually to Principal Engineer or Test Lead, with opportunities to move into product management or architecture roles. Ciscoβs internal mobility program encourages engineers to explore adjacent domains such as cloud networking, security automation, or hardware design, making it an ideal place for longβterm career development.
Why join Cisco? Apart from the brand prestige and competitive compensation, Cisco offers a collaborative environment where engineers are empowered to experiment, learn and influence industry standards. Employees benefit from worldβclass learning platforms, certifications, and a supportive community that values diversity and inclusion.
The hybrid work model, modern campus facilities, and a focus on workβlife balance make Cisco an attractive destination for fresh talent aiming to make a tangible impact on global communications infrastructure.
Eligibility & process
Who can apply
β’ Minimum: B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication or related discipline. β’ Bachelorβs degree candidates must have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience; Masterβs degree candidates can apply with 0 years of experience. β’ Minimum aggregate 60% (or CGPA 6.0/10) in the qualifying degree. β’ No active backlogs at the time of application. β’ Final year students can apply only if they have secured a preβplacement offer meeting the experience criteria. β’ Batch year should be 2024, 2025 or 2026 (or later) to align with the experience requirement. β’ Candidates must be legally authorized to work in India.
Skills & stack
Selection process
- Round 1: Online coding assessment (Python & data structures)
- Round 2: Technical interview (test automation, optical networking concepts, Linux troubleshooting)
- Round 3: Managerial interview (design, problemβsolving, collaboration)
- Round 4: HR discussion (culture fit, compensation, joining formalities)
Prep kit
20 resourcesStudy material 4
Company-specific guides 4
Likely coding questions 4
Round-wise strategy 4
Technical questions 5
What is the difference between Implicit Wait, Explicit Wait, and Fluent Wait in Selenium? Answer
Explain the Page Object Model (POM) and its advantages in Test Automation. Answer
How do you handle dynamic WebElements whose ID changes on page reload? Answer
What is the difference between @BeforeMethod and @BeforeClass in TestNG? Answer
How do you validate REST API response codes and JSON payload using Postman / RestAssured? Answer
Behavioural & HR questions 3
Highlight Cisco's market reputation, recent tech innovations, and how your skills in Python directly solve their team's objectives.
Use the STAR method: Situation (project context), Task (what needed solving), Action (specific tools/logic applied), Result (quantifiable positive outcome).
Explain your prioritization strategy, proactive communication with mentors/peers, and agile mindset.