Engineering Program Manager

Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 282,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Cloud Security Group seeks an Engineering Program Manager to collaborate with software engineering teams, embedding AI/ML and intelligent automation into cloud product delivery. You will drive complex programs across cross-functional groups in a fast-paced, security-focused environment.

You will manage dependencies, apply Lean/Agile practices, ensure CI/CD integration, and communicate progress to executives while contributing to Umbrella and related cloud services’ reliability and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 8 years, Master's +6, or PhD +3 in Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 3+ years applying AI/ML tools, GenAI assistants, and intelligent automation to program management.
• 3+ years coordinating cross-functional projects with geographically distributed teams.
• Experience with Lean Enterprise / Agile / Kanban practices and supporting tools.
• Experience with defect tracking applications like JIRA and business apps such as Word, Excel and Project.

Responsibilities

• Bring Technical Program Management expertise with an AI-first vision to accelerate delivery.
• Support, track and manage complex program execution with cross-functional coordination.
• Track cross-functional dependencies and deliverables and manage inter/intra team communications.
• Provide timely issue resolution and critical path management; facilitate effective communication.
• Drive day-to-day program activities to meet objectives.
• Review changes and weigh tradeoffs between engineering resources and improvements.
• Provide weekly updates and status to executives.
• Drive AI-first tooling and automation to streamline planning and reporting.
• Partner with engineering to plan and deliver AI/ML-powered features with data-driven insights.

Education

Bachelor's + 8 years, Master’s + 6 years, or PhD + 3 years of complex program management in software/cloud environments

Tools

JIRA

Word

Excel

Project

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/11/2026

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

Meet the Team

Cisco Cloud Security Group is a leading provider of Cloud Security and DNS services, enabling the world to connect to the Internet with confidence on any device, anywhere, anytime.

Our approach is twofold; first Umbrella, our cloud-delivered security service, blocks advanced attacks including malware, botnets, and phishing threats, while our predictive intelligence engine uses machine learning to automate protection against newly-discovered threats before they can reach our customers. Today, we handle more than 80 billion daily Internet requests from 65 million+ users around the world. Our global network has proven reliability and adds no latency. We protect each and every one of our customers' devices globally without any hardware to install or software to maintain.

Working at Cisco Cloud Security group means being surrounded by passionate and creative people who are determined to disrupt the Internet security industry with innovative ideas, world-class research and unrivaled products and services. It's a place where the best ideas are quickly transformed into products, features, campaigns and company-wide practices, with nearly 100% year-over-year usage growth.

Your Impact

As Engineering Program Manager within Cisco Cloud Security organization, you will be working very closely with the Software Engineering team, supporting cloud products and deliverables. You bring an AI-first Technical Program Management lens to everything you do, embedding artificial intelligence, machine learning, and intelligent automation into how programs are planned, executed, and delivered.

Besides solid program delivery and technical skills, you have proven experience in problem solving, managing multiple projects simultaneously, a deep understanding of cloud product development, strong background in CI/CD development model, and delivery of complex large-scale software projects.

You thrive in a fast-paced and demanding environment. You have the ability to think creatively and critically, lead through intellect, and are willing to roll-up your sleeves when needed. In addition, you are able to partner across a wide variety of functions. You have strong internal drive, a tenacious spirit, good communication skills and a collaborative method of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Bring strong Technical Program Management expertise with an AI-first vision, pioneering the adoption of AI-driven tools, automation, and data-informed decision-making to accelerate program delivery and drive innovation across teams


• Support, track and manage complex program execution, cross-functional coordination, and inter/intra team communications to deliver outstanding, high quality program outcomes


• Track and maintain cross-functional dependencies/deliverables, work with other cross-functional groups within Cisco Security to manage dependencies and deliverables


• Provide timely issue resolution and critical path management; and facilitate good communication.


• Drive day-to-day program activities to meet overall program objective


• Be self-directed with the ability to review changes and weigh tradeoffs between engineering resources and operational improvements


• Provide weekly updates and offer multiple levels of status across a wide spectrum of individual contributors to executive management


• Drive an AI-first approach to program management, identifying and deploying AI/ML tools and intelligent automation to streamline planning, reporting, risk detection, and decision-making


• Partner with engineering teams to plan and deliver AI/ML-powered features, demonstrating data-driven insights and predictive analytics to improve program velocity, quality, and outcomes

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's + 8 years, a Master's degree + 6 years, or PhD + 3 years of complex program management (preferred in software cloud environments), using both agile and waterfall. Degree should be in Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field.


• 3+ years of experience applying AI/ML tools, GenAI assistants, and intelligent automation to program management.


• 3+ years of experience coordinating cross-functional projects, facilitating team meetings, and collaborating with geographically distributed teams.


• Prior experience in Lean Enterprise / Agile / Kanban practices and supporting tools.


• Experience with defect tracking applications like JIRA and business applications such as Word, Excel and Project.

PreferredQualifications

• Able to communicate well with cross-functional team members, be able to efficiently collaborate with and influence team members to achieve project goals, and contribute positively to the engineering community environment.


• Ability to understand, discuss / communicate technical concepts, with both technical and non-technical individuals.


• Ability to find opportunities to embed AI across the software delivery lifecycle.


• Working knowledge of cloud and network security concepts and technologies such as SASE, Security Service Edge (SSE), Zero Trust, DNS-layer security, secure web gateway (SWG), and firewall/cloud-delivered security.


• Familiarity with security compliance and certification frameworks (e.g., FedRAMP, SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR) and experience supporting audit- or compliance-driven programs.


• Experience delivering programs in a DevSecOps environment, integrating security controls and testing into CI/CD pipelines and the software development lifecycle.


• Awareness of AI/ML security and responsible-AI considerations, including model risk, data privacy, secure handling of sensitive data, and threat modeling for AI-enabled products.


• Understanding of vulnerability management, incident response, and secure SDLC practices; ability to coordinate cross-functional security remediation efforts.


• Relevant security certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, CompTIA Security+, or CISM are a plus.

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 $171,600.00 to $245,000.00 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 of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to 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:

$171,600.00 - $281,800.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$151,300.00 - $250,900.00

* 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.