Software QA Technical Leader - Hypershield

Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 242,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company seeks a Software QA Technical Leader for their Hypershield team in San Jose. The candidate will spearhead automation strategies for innovative security products while collaborating with development teams. Strong experience in quality engineering, particularly in cloud and network security, is essential. The role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, highlighting a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

Benefits

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) plan with matching contributions

Flexible vacation time

Paid holidays and sick time

Volunteer paid time off

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in quality engineering for cloud computing or network security products.
• Demonstrated experience in manual and automated tests for network devices or simulation environments.
• Strong understanding of Linux-based environments and cloud infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Drive the automation strategy for flagship security products within Cisco’s Nexus line.
• Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks for large-scale QA systems.
• Collaborate with dev teams to define test strategy and coverage.

Skills

Python

Quality Engineering

Automation Frameworks

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering

Tools

PyTest

Cisco Windsurf

GitHub Copilot

Job description

Software QA Technical Leader - Hypershield

Location:

Offsite, San Jose, California, US

Area of Interest

Compensation Range

138800 USD- 241700 USD

Job Type

Professional

Security

Job Id

1443950

The application window is expected to close on: June 30, 2025 .

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

Meet the Team

Join Cisco’s Hypershield team – a fast-paced innovation group building the industry’s first AI-native, secure data center fabric. Our team owns quality engineering for the control and data plane components of the Nexus smart switch, code-named Danceburg . We operate in a lean, high-impact environment that blends deep networking knowledge with modern agile and AI-driven test practices.

Your Impact

As a QA Technical Leader, you’ll drive the automation strategy for our flagship security product within Cisco’s next-gen Nexus line. You’ll set direction for quality engineering across data and control planes, design scalable test frameworks, and work actively to ensure rigorous automation and release efficiency. This role is ideal for engineers passionate about scale, collaboration, and staying at the forefront of innovation.

• Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks for large-scale QA systems
• Collaborate with dev teams on control and data plane to define test strategy and coverage
• Lead automation initiatives using PyTest and internal AI-powered tools like Windsurf , co-pilot etc
• Ensure product quality through end-to-end automation while supporting manual test cycles when needed
• Take ownership of lab readiness and contribute to debugging/configuring test environments

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science , Engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in quality engineering for cloud computing or network security products
• Proficient in Python and PyTest or similar automation frameworks
• Demonstrated experience in manual and automating tests for network devices or simulation environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a QA lead, taking ownership of automation strategy across teams
• E xperience testing network security or SaaS products end-to-end
• Strong understanding of Linux-based environments and cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS)
• Familiarity with configuring and managing Cisco or similar networking hardware in lab environments
• Familiarity with Go, C++, or P4 used in control/data plane implementations
• Comfortable working independently in global lab services environments (e.g., switch configuration, IP provisioning)
• Ability to work across CLI-based systems and troubleshoot in lab-based test environments
• Proficiency using AI tools for code generation or automation (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cisco Windsurf)

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. Simply put – we power the future.

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:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees haveaccess to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days ofvacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Offpolicy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours ofunused sick timewill be carried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the nextsuch that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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