Solutions Engineer I&MI Routing and Optics

Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 229,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a technical leader to own AI-ready, software-defined infrastructures and to deliver consultative expertise to strategic accounts in the Americas as part of the I&MI Transformational Pursuit team.

You will guide RFP responses, PoCs, and architectures, collaborating with Product and Engineering to align with customer objectives and industry trends, while engaging with customers at multiple levels and driving Cisco's strategic vision.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in networking transport solutions and large-scale routing/switching.
• Expertise in MPLS, SR, SDN, 5G transport, DCI, Cloud; define solution strategy with teams.
• Strong customer relationship skills across the sales cycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of AI-ready, software-defined infrastructures.
• Guide RFP responses, PoCs, and architectural designs.
• Coordinate with Cisco direct seller teams to align Cisco vision with customer needs.
• Advocate for field and customer needs with Product and Eng teams.

Skills

Networking transport

Consulting experience

RFP guidance

PoC leadership

English proficiency

Travel up to 50%

BS/BA in EE/CS

MPLS Routing

Segment Routing

SDN

5G transport

DCI

NETCONF/YANG

REST/JSON

Cisco Automation tools

CCNP/CCDP/CCIE-SP

Education

BS/BA in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

NETCONF/YANG

REST/JSON

Cisco Automation tools

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/03/2026

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 Internet and Mass-Scale Infrastructure (I&MI) team, a multifaceted group revolutionizing routing, optical, and automation solutions for the next generation of connectivity.

We craft and deliver critical infrastructure platforms that power the largest global service providers, web-scale players, Enterprise, Public Sector customers and cloud operators.

Our mission: to enable businesses to thrive in a world of exponentially growing data, AI workloads, and seamless digital experiences.

Your Impact

In this role, as a technical leader, you will support and own the development of groundbreaking, AI-ready, software-defined infrastructures that enable next-generation infrastructure networks and will be delivering consultative expertise to customers in strategic accounts for our I&MI Routing and Optical product and solutions portfolio in the Americas region as part of the Global I&MI Transformational Pursuit team, with specific focus on Public Sector, Enterprise and Commercial projects.

You will guide and support RFP responses, proofs of concept (PoCs) and architectural designs, ensuring alignment with customer objectives and industry trends. Your influence will extend beyond individual accounts, as you will collaborate with Cisco direct seller community in engaging customers at the technical and executive levels to position Cisco vision and strategy and will work on crafting Cisco's product strategy by advocating for field and customer needs with Product Line Management and Engineering teams. You will also handle customer expectations, ensuring alignment with product and solution capabilities, while continuously driving thought leadership in the broader networking and service provider industries.

Who you are:

You are an accomplished technical leader with strong expertise in transport infrastructure or Service Provider networking and knowledge in automation. You are just as comfortable behind a keyboard as you are in front of customers, confidently engaging with different levels of technical and business stakeholders. You combine outstanding architectural design skills with hands-on expertise to deliver transformative solutions. With a forward-thinking mentality, you influence not only your customers but also the wider industry through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and innovative solution design.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in networking transport solutions and architectures with large scale routing and switching systems, including consulting, service implementation and/or operational expertise
• Deep expertise in network transport technologies & protocols and technology domains knowledge such as MPLS, Segment Routing, SDN, 5G transport, DCI, Cloud. Experience with defining solution strategy and proposals in conjunction with product, engineering and operational teams, in response to customer requirements
• Must possess a solid focus on customer outcomes and be able to establish and maintain strong relationships and interlocks with different stakeholders throughout the sales cycle
• Track record in guiding responses to complex RFPs and driving PoCs for large-scale customers
• Excellent written & oral communication skills. English proficiency is required
• Ability to travel is required (up to 50%)
• BS/BA in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of key Cisco I&MI architectures and solutions (e.g. Agile Services Networking, Private WAN, Routed Optical Networking) or equivalent of similar vendor and good knowledge of modern technologies (SR/SRv6, EVPN)
• Strong knowledge of customer networks, their current challenges, ability to act as consultant and guide the customers – particularly Service Providers, Large Enterprises, and/or Public Sector customers.
• Knowledge of network programmability concepts (NETCONF/YANG, REST, JSON, Network telemetry) and Cisco Automation tools is highly regarded
• CCNP, CCDP, CCIE SP certification or similar vendor certifications

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 $229,000.00 to $299,800.00 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:

$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.