Junior AI Security Engineer

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an early-career Security Engineer to join the Security & Trust Organization (S&TO). You will support applied security research and engineering that advances how AI is built and used securely across Cisco.

Under guidance, you’ll perform routine security assignments, run defined tests and experiments, contribute to basic security tooling, and document evidence and findings. You will apply established Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle, security, and responsible-AI

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (completed within the past 3 years or expected to be completed within the next 12 months).
• Qualifying education and work experience should be in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Foundational knowledge of security engineering, software development, AI/ML, or applied research gained through education, internships, projects, or equivalent practical work.
• Working knowledge of Python and the ability to develop and test basic scripts.

Responsibilities

• Executes routine, well-defined security engineering assignments using established practices and procedures with detailed guidance.
• Supports vulnerability and risk assessments, security code reviews, validation testing, remediation, and security-hardening activities.
• Assists with threat models for AI-native features such as RAG, tool use, agentic workflows, and MCP integrations, including prompt injection, data poisoning, excessive agency, and supply-chain risks.
• Runs defined adversarial tests and evaluations, records evidence and results, and escalates complex or unexpected findings.
• Contributes basic Python tooling, evaluation cases, guardrails, and automated security checks under review, including integration into Secure Development Lifecycle and CI/CD workflows.
• Supports data-protection and human-oversight controls for AI systems, including sensitive-data handling, review, approval, and accountability.
• Contributes to threat research, reusable patterns, and technical write-ups; communicates findings and participates in security design reviews and incident-response activities.

Skills

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an early-career Security Engineer to join the Security & Trust Organization (S&TO). You will support applied security research and engineering that advances how AI is built and used securely across Cisco.

Under guidance, you’ll perform routine security assignments, run defined tests and experiments, contribute to basic security tooling, and document evidence and findings. You will apply established Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle, security, and responsible-AI