Software Engineer Data & AI PhD (Intern) - United States

Cisco Systems, Inc; San Jose (CA); Remote; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Cis co Systems, Inc. is seeking a PhD-level software engineer intern to help build scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure. You will contribute to analytics platforms and data systems used by Cisco’s AI-driven products across multiple business groups.

Ideal candidates will have strong Python skills, experience with ML frameworks, and familiarity with distributed data processing. Remote work eligibility in the United States may apply depending on needs.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science, AI, or a related field.
• Experience with Python and fundamentals of data structures.
• Hands-on experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable data pipelines and analytics platforms to support ML initiatives.
• Build and maintain data infrastructure enabling data-driven insights across Cisco’s teams.

Skills

Python

Fundamental data structures

Machine learning frameworks (TensorFl,

Distributed data processing

Docker & Kubernetes

Education

PhD program in Computer Science/AI/related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Meet the Team

Our dedicated team members are building the future of Cisco’s AI-driven platforms and data infrastructure, supporting innovation across the globe. You will join teams focused on developing advanced data pipelines, machine learning infrastructure, and analytics platforms within business groups such as S&TO, Supply Chain, and Engineering. As part of this collaborative environment, you will contribute to the growth of emerging technologies in data and intelligent systems. Explore the opportunities at the intersection of data engineering and AI, helping to transform how Cisco and its customers harness information and intelligent automation.

This role may be eligible for remote work in theUnited Statesdepending on business needs and hiring manager approval.

Your Impact

You are a passionate software engineer withexpertisein developing scalable data pipelines, designing robust analytics platforms, and building infrastructure to support machine learning initiatives. Your strong background in programming, data systems, and collaboration enables you to solve complex challenges with innovation and attention to detail. By building andmaintainingkey software tools and platforms, you enable Cisco’s business groups toleverageAI and data-driven insights for operational excellence and strategic growth. Your work ensures high-quality, reliable data infrastructure that supports Cisco’s leadership in intelligent, scalable technology solutions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currentlyenrolled in a PhD program.
• Qualifying education should bein Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Expected to continue enrollment in degree program following completion of the internship.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and fundamental data structures.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Familiarity with distributed data processing technologies, including Apache Spark, Hadoop (MapReduce), or Apache Flink.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools, such as Docker and Kubernetes, for deploying data and machine learning workloads.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with AI/ML.
• Familiarity with major cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Understanding of distributed systems concepts, including scalability, reliability, fault tolerance, and data consistency, as well as familiarity with distributed computing patterns (e.g., load balancing, consensus algorithms, and inter-service communication).

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:

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:

$44,000.00 - $185,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$44,000.00 - $185,000.00

* 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.