Associate Solutions Engineer - United States

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Clegg (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with Cisco matching

Paid parental leave

Flexible vacation program

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is offering a CSAP Graduate Program aimed at developing high-potentials into Technical Sales Champions. This 12-month global accelerator provides immersion in technical sales through training and real-world experience. Participants will collaborate and gain expertise across various domains, ensuring growth and career advancement.

Successful graduates transition into Solutions Engineers within the Global Virtual Engineering team, tackling complex customer challenges with advanced solutions.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or real-world proof of technical curiosity.
• Fluent in English and the primary language of the country.
• Legally authorized to work in the country.

Responsibilities

• Participate in immersive Bootcamp training.
• Complete three rotational assignments.
• Transition into Solutions Engineer role.

Skills

AI-native mindset

Technical curiosity

Networking and software (Java/Python)

Analytical resilience

Confident communication

Education

Technical degree (Engineering, CS, STEAM)

Job description

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Applications are accepted until further notice.

Meet the Team

• You will train alongside a diverse cohort of high-calibre individuals from across the AMER Region, building a rich professional network and long-lasting friendships. This hub-based environment provides a "safe-to-fail" setting where you can master your craft through AI customer simulations and mentored on-the-job activities.
• Throughout the Cisco Sales Associate Program (CSAP), you will collaborate with Cisco Associate Sales Representatives to provide technical solutions that drive business outcomes. You will expand your expertise across Collaboration, Security, Networking, and Cloud to bridge the gap between technical requirements and business value. You will learn from industry experts and dedicated coaches using our own leading-edge technology.
• To support your growth, you will be paired with a mentor‑a CSAP alumnus who has successfully navigated the program. Supported by a team committed to your success, you will earn industry‑standard certifications and gain the expertise required to thrive in elite technical sales opportunities across our global organization.

Your Impact

The CSAP Graduate Program is a 12‑month global accelerator designed to develop high‑potential individuals into Technical Sales Champions. Built on a model of Education, Exposure, and Experience, the program offers a clear progression:

• Month 1‑3: Participate in immersive Bootcamp training and foundational technical skill‑building.
• Month 3‑12: Complete three rotational assignments for real‑world technical sales experience.
• Beyond 12 months: Transition into a Solutions Engineer role to discover, demonstrate, and design solutions for complex customer challenges.

Our learning philosophy prioritises experiential growth, with the majority of your development occurring through coached, real‑world practice within a hub‑based cohort of peers. This immersive approach ensures you grow and learn through direct application rather than in isolation.

A key part of this Program is our AI‑First Mandate. As an Associate Solutions Engineer (ASE) in our Global Sales Enablement & Acceleration team, you will build strong AI skills by using advanced learning platforms and artificial intelligence to design technical solutions and improve strategic decision‑making. This trajectory is designed for those looking to outpace the traditional career curve! Through quarterly competency checkpoints, high‑performers can validate their skills and fast‑track into further technical roles before the program concludes.

Upon completion of the 12‑month Early In Career (EIC) program, as a Solutions Engineer (SE), you will join our Global Virtual Engineering (GVE) team. GVE is a best‑in‑class technical presales organization that provides software and Solutions Engineering services to customers, partners, and internal sales teams. You will discover, demonstrate, and design solutions to address complex customer challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

• You hold a technical degree (Engineering, CS, STEAM) or come from a non‑traditional background with real‑world proof of technical curiosity‑like a home lab, certification, or side project—and possess the skills to turn complexity into clarity.
• Fluent in English and the primary language of the country for which you are applying.
• Legally authorized to work in the country of hire without company sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• AI-native mindset with a high degree of learning agility; you are passionate about networking and software (Java/Python) and eager to use AI to automate and innovate the engineering process.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to navigate a matrix‑based organization, influencing stakeholders and collaborating within a hub‑based cohort to drive team success.
• Analytical resilience, capable of maintaining focus and creativity when solving sophisticated technical hurdles or translating complex requirements into tangible business value.
• Confident communicator who can deconstruct "black box" technologies into simple, persuasive narratives for diverse audiences.

Benefits

U.S. employees are offered benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, basic life insurance, and eligibility for restricted stock units. Paid time off includes ten paid holidays per year, one floating holiday, paid birthday, year‑end shutdown, and four personal wellness days. Non‑exempt employees accrue vacation days at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period, while exempt employees have a flexible vacation program.

Additional benefits such as optional volunteer days, bonuses for non‑sales roles, and performance‑based incentive pay for sales roles are available per Cisco policy.