Solutions Engineer-Hyperscale and AI Infrastructure

020 Cisco Systems, Inc.; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 209,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Senior Solutions Engineer to lead technical engagements with AI platform and infrastructure customers, driving scalable network designs and innovative solutions.

You will demonstrate Cisco capabilities across data center, service provider, and AI-ready environments, ensuring customer success and strategic alignment. The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams and ongoing enablement in cutting-edge networking, automation, and AI workloads.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in technical sales or customer engagement with data center networking.
• Deep expertise in Service Provider architectures, including Data Center, Route/Switch, AI-Ready Networking, and Automation.
• Strong Cisco solutions knowledge or equivalent competitor products.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical engagements with AI platform and infrastructure customers.
• Design AI, Service Provider, and Data Center networks at scale.
• Lead demonstrations that emphasize Cisco solutions and business outcomes.

Skills

Data Center Networking

AI Workloads

Automation Scripting

Networking Protocols

Cisco IOS-XR/NX-OS

Open-Source NOS SONiC

Routing Protocols

Optical System Design

Silicon Architecture

LLMs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

CCIE certification desirable

Tools

Cisco IOS-XR/NX-OS

SONiC

Job description

Meet the Team

Join the Emerging AI & Cloud team working with AI platform and infrastructure customers. This dynamic space is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driving the AI revolution with cutting‑edge technology. Our team is deeply customer‑centric, dedicated to delivering exceptional results and ensuring customer success.

Your Impact

As a Senior Solutions Engineer at Cisco, you will lead technical engagements with AI platform and infrastructure customers, driving innovative solutions that fuel their growth.

• Designing AI, Service Provider, and Data Center networks at scale
• Expertise in AI back‑end and front‑end network designs, including compute, storage, and optics
• Proficiency with Cisco IOS‑XR, NX‑OS, or equivalent operating systems
• Experience with open‑source NOS such as SONiC
• Deep knowledge of routing protocols, including BGP, MPLS, EVPN, and Segment Routing
• Knowledge of optical system design including Metro, RON, DWDM, and optics for data center environments
• Strong understanding of silicon architecture, ASICs, and system designs
• Familiarity with AI workloads, large language models (LLM), and MLOps tools
• Automation tooling and scripting skills
• Ability to establish trust and credibility through technical excellence
• Linking architectural vision to account strategy
• Staying current on AI industry trends and changes
• Lead the strategy and planning of demand generation and enablement initiatives
• Identify customer needs and showcase cross‑architecture solutions
• Lead demonstrations that emphasize how Cisco solutions can drive business outcomes
• Mobilize a broad network of stakeholders to drive transformative synergies and optimize customer relationships
• Demonstrate agility by adjusting strategies in response to disruptions

Minimum Qualifications

8+ years of experience in technical sales or customer engagement, with expertise in data center networking, service provider markets Deep technical expertise in Service Provider architectures, including Data Center, Route/Switch, AI‑Ready Networking, and Automation. Strong technical expertise in Cisco solutions or equivalent competitor products.

Preferred Qualifications

Excellent communication, presentation, and problem‑solving skills with a customer‑focused mindset Self‑motivated and proactive, with the ability to build strong customer relationships and effectively articulate Cisco’s product portfolio 10+ years of hands‑on experience adapting and delivering results in high‑velocity, advanced technology environments In‑depth knowledge of Compute, Optical is desirable Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent; CCIE certification is desirable Experience selling solutions to AI platform & infrastructure customers Proven track record in pre‑sales with a growth mindset and ability to work independently Coding or software development experience is a significant plus Experience with SONiC is highly advantageous Comprehensive understanding of Cisco, competitors, technologies, solutions, and market dynamics Ability to navigate complex technical and sales situations and effectively resolve challenges or elevate as needed.

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 $209,100.00 to $275,100.00 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.

• 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

Applicable full salary ranges for this position by specific state:

• New York City Metro Area: $229,000.00 - $344,700.00
• Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state: $218,600.00 - $329,000.00
• * 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

Cisconians power the future. We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale. The depth and breadth of our technology doesn't just benefit our customers – it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn. We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together. Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life’s best work.