Cisco Off Campus Drive 2026 | Software Test Engineer Trainee
Here is a golden opportunity for fresh graduates looking to start their tech career with one of the global leaders in networking and cybersecurity. Cisco has officially announced applications for the role of Software Test Engineer Trainee (Technical Graduate Apprentice) for its Bangalore location. This 12-month full-time training program offers hands-on experience on cutting-edge projects involving AI, cloud solutions, smart security infrastructure, and network performance automation.
If you are graduating in 2025 or 2026 and wish to step into software engineering and product testing, read through all the eligibility requirements, program details, and step-by-step instructions below to submit your application.
Job Overview Key Details
| Company Name: | Cisco Systems |
| Role: | Software Test Engineer Trainee (Technical Graduate Apprentice) |
| Job Location: | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Experience Level: | Freshers (2025 / 2026 Passing Out Batches) |
| Qualification: | B.E / B.Tech / Diploma (CSE, IT, EEE, Data Engineering, BCA/MCA) |
| Program Duration: | 12 Months (Starting September 2026) |
| Mandatory Registration: | NATS Portal (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) Enrollment |
| Application Link: | Apply Here |
About Cisco Engineering Team
At Cisco, engineers build the core infrastructure that powers global communications, cloud architectures, and modern artificial intelligence workloads. As a trainee in Cisco's engineering organization, you will work side-by-side with industry experts on real-world engineering problems. Projects range from developing machine learning algorithms to optimize network traffic to designing high-performance security systems capable of blocking threats instantly.
Cisco fosters a collaborative culture centered around learning, innovation, and personal growth. As an apprentice, you gain exposure to modern software test automation frameworks, cloud monitoring systems, and distributed system architectures.
Key Responsibilities & Learning Exposure
- Test Automation & Frameworks: Help construct robust automation scripts and test suites to validate complex distributed networks and software systems.
- Performance Monitoring: Gain real-time visibility into application performance, user experience metrics, and business outcomes across cloud environments.
- Cloud Solutions Testing: Work on cloud-native applications, tracking system stability and monitoring performance indicators across diverse hardware and software setups.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Coordinate with software developers, test engineers, and product managers to identify bugs early in the release cycle.
Eligibility Criteria & Candidate Requirements
To be considered for the Graduate Apprentice position at Cisco, candidates must satisfy the following conditions:
- Educational Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Applications, Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Data Engineering, or equivalent branches.
- Graduation Year: Candidates must have passed out or be graduating in 2025 or 2026. You should possess a Provisional Degree Certificate by the program start date.
- NATS Registration: You must be registered as a student on the official Government of India NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in) and hold a valid NATS enrollment number.
- Availability: Must commit to a continuous 12-month full-time apprenticeship period beginning in September 2026 at the Bangalore campus.
- Basic Technical & Soft Skills: Working knowledge of MS Office tools, strong logical thinking, effective communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a desire to learn complex software tools quickly.
Selection Process Workflow
The selection pipeline at Cisco generally consists of multiple stages designed to assess fundamental technical knowledge and analytical thinking:
- Online Assessment / Resume Screening: Shortlisting based on academic records, NATS status, and online technical assessment covering basic programming, logic, and networking fundamentals.
- Technical Interview Round: Evaluation of core computer science topics including software testing basics, data structures, networking fundamentals, and problem-solving skills.
- HR / Managerial Round: Assessment of communication skills, adaptability, cultural fitment, and willingness to learn during the 12-month program.
How to Apply Online Step-by-Step
- First, visit the official NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in and complete your student registration if you have not done so already. Note down your unique student enrollment number.
- Click on the official application link given below to open the Cisco Careers page for this role.
- Read the complete job description carefully and click on the Apply Now button on Cisco's job site.
- Fill in your personal contact info, academic details, graduation year, and NATS enrollment number in the application form.
- Upload an updated resume highlighting your academic projects, internships, and relevant technical skill sets.
- Submit your application and keep a copy of your confirmation email for future tracking.
Important Cautionary Note: Cisco never asks candidates for payments or financial deposits at any stage of recruitment. Official emails will always come from official Cisco domains, and recruitment progress can be tracked directly on jobs.cisco.com.