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Control Plane Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team including Photonic, Analog, Digital, Systems and Network experts to define control plane architecture for Lightmatter's photonic interconnect products.

LockThreat is the AI-native control plane for enterprise GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance). Recognized by Gartner as a Disruptor in Enterprise GRC, we help complex, regulated organizations move ...

Senior Software Engineer - File System

Boston, MA · On-site

$133K - $175K/yr

You will collaborate closely with Platform, Control Plane, CI/CD, QA, and SRE-oriented teams to ensure software is reliable, observable, upgradeable, and supportable in customer environments. You are ...

Showing results 21-40

Control Plane information

What is a control plane?

A Control Plane in computing refers to the part of a network or system that manages and controls how data is routed and handled, as opposed to actually moving the data itself (which is done by the data plane). The control plane is responsible for tasks such as network topology management, routing decisions, and policy enforcement. In cloud computing and Kubernetes, the control plane manages the overall system state, scheduling, and coordination of resources. It ensures that the system operates efficiently and according to the defined rules and policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a control plane engineer?

To thrive as a Control Plane Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, distributed systems, and a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Experience with tools like Kubernetes, Docker, cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages such as Go or Python is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate across teams and address complex system challenges. These skills ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of critical infrastructure in modern cloud environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on the control plane in cloud infrastructure teams?

One of the main challenges for professionals working on the Control Plane is ensuring high availability and scalability while maintaining security and efficient resource management. The role often requires balancing complex system orchestration with rapid deployment cycles, which can introduce risks of misconfiguration or downtime. Additionally, professionals must regularly collaborate with development, operations, and security teams to implement updates and troubleshoot issues, making strong communication skills essential. Staying current with evolving cloud technologies and best practices is also key to success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Control Plane vs Network Engineer?

AspectControl PlaneNetwork Engineer
Required CredentialsNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP), knowledge of network protocolsNetworking certifications, routing and switching expertise
Work EnvironmentData centers, cloud environments, network infrastructureCorporate offices, data centers, service providers
Employer & Industry UsageCloud providers, telecom companies, large enterprisesIT departments, internet service providers, tech firms
Common Search & ComparisonControl Plane vs Network Engineer

The Control Plane focuses on managing and directing network traffic within infrastructure, often involving configuration and orchestration of network devices. Network Engineers design, implement, and troubleshoot network systems. While both roles require networking knowledge and certifications, Control Plane specialists typically work on the control functions of network devices, whereas Network Engineers handle broader network design and maintenance.

What are popular job titles related to Control Plane jobs in Massachusetts?

For Control Plane jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Control Plane jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Control Plane jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Control Plane jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Control Plane job openings:

Software Engineering Technical Leader, Control Systems - Acacia (Onsite)

Cisco

Maynard, MA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Cisco Systems rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 160 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/25/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This position is required to be onsite in Maynard, MA and in office three days a week.

Meet the Team

Acacia (part of Cisco) is a market leader in high-speed coherent optical transceivers, pioneering the development of coherent pluggable transceivers. Acacia's coherent products are deployed by all hyperscalers to connect their Data Centers over distances from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers and even in submarine networks. The emergence of AI has drastically increased the demand for Acacia's coherent transceivers. Acacia's coherent transceivers are also being used in space applications and is eventually expected to be used inside data centers as interconnect speeds continue to increase. Acacia is also entering the PAM4 Client market and is expected to be a key provider of PAM4 solutions, including a 1.6T PAM4 DSP.

Your Impact

You will be a key member of Acacia's Software team responsible for embedded CPU code development to configure and manage our products. You will lead the architecture and design of complex optical sub-systems that go into future Acacia SOCs; collaborate with Chip, DSP and Optics architects to drive innovation in Acacia's products.

You will interface with the wider cross-functional engineering team to architect the system software, develop algorithms, contribute to code development, and participate in system bring up and debug.

You will work with Acacia's Hardware, ASIC, Optical, and DSP teams in the engineering organization and the PLM team. You will collaborate with the Product engineering and Quality teams to ensure smooth transition of our products to Manufacturing.

This role will also involve customer interface for technical discussions related to Acacia SW architecture and design with our customers.

  • You are enthusiastic about architecting embedded firmware solutions and driving requirements for future platforms. You enjoy contributing and collaborating with the wider cross-functional engineering teams to develop efficient, compact algorithms for embedded CPUs. You are great at low-level RTOS debug and systems bring up in the lab.

  • You are capable in figuring out complex systems specifications from standards bodies and a strong mentor for junior colleagues.

  • You don't hesitate to point out how we can be more effective as a team, and you are open to similar suggestions by your team members.

  • Your interpersonal and communication skills allow effortless collaboration within and across teams and to steer development in a positive direction.

  • You are able to work from high level system design to low level driver development.

Minimum requirements
  • Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of relevant experience or Master's degree and 8+ years (Electronics/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent) of relevant experience in the telecommunications industry.

  • 8+ years of experience with C++ and C.

  • 8+ years of experience with embedded firmware development (both control and data path).

  • Demonstrated experience with programming on bare metal and RTOS running on embedded CPUs and microcontrollers.

  • Demonstrated experience with control systems.

Preferred Requirements
  • Experience with ARM processors.

  • Experience leading software/firmware teams and driving cross-functional requirements across other engineering and product teams.

  • Embedded systems firmware architecture, design and development for Optical transceivers, and High-speed Mixed-signal components.

  • Experience working within a team environment developing complex control-plane code in a multi-processor/multithreaded environment.

  • Experience with developing/debugging software state machines.

  • Proficient in writing compact highly efficient code to control HW components.

  • Experience with a revision control system and defect tracking systems (Perforce, GIT, Bugzilla, JIRA).

  • Experience with collaborative code review tools (such as Jira Crucible).

  • Comfortable with UNIX-style command-line development (make, shell programming, Python).

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 $166,300.00 to $238,300.00 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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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:

New York City Metro Area:

$186,900.00 - $307,800.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$166,300.00 - $274,100.00

* 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.


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About Cisco Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

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