Technical Leader- Platform Security

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Technical Leader to define and drive platform security across hardware, firmware, and software. You will shape architecture, develop secure boot, and ensure a trusted lifecycle from manufacturing to deployment.

You will mentor teams, perform threat modeling, and collaborate across SONiC, Linux and networking domains to strengthen system integrity. This role emphasizes hands-on security leadership in a highly technical environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in platform, firmware, or system security with strong Linux knowledge.
• Deep hands-on experience in UEFI Secure Boot, boot/kernel architectures and TPM/root of trust.
• Experience debugging across firmware, Linux, drivers and hardware layers.

Responsibilities

• Define platform security strategies including Root of Trust, Secure/Measured Boot, attestation and key lifecycle management.
• Drive UEFI Secure Boot enrollment, rotation, revocation and debugging processes.
• Integrate security protocols into Linux and SONiC environments, focusing on kernel integrity and firmware updates.
• Manage provisioning of keys and certificates for manufacturing and field deployment.
• Lead threat modeling, security reviews, and mentoring across hardware, firmware and software teams.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Shell scripting

Linux knowledge

Firmware

Hardware security

Threat modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

OpenBMC

Caliptra/DICE

PKI/X.509 standards

NPU platforms

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 11/29/2026

Meet the Team

Our Platform Security team is at the heart of protecting the infrastructure that powers the internet. We are a group of specialized engineers focused on building the secure foundation for next-generation networking. From silicon bring-up to the OS layer, we collaborate across disciplines to ensure that security is not just an add-on, but a fundamental part of our platform architecture.

Your Impact

As a Technical Leader, you will serve as the primary authority on platform security, steering the architecture, development, and integration of robust security solutions. You will work across the full stack-from hardware and firmware to Linux and networking operating systems like SONiC-to establish a secure chain of trust. Your leadership will define how we protect our platforms throughout their entire lifecycle, ensuring integrity from manufacturing through production deployment.

Responsibilities

• Define comprehensive platform security strategies, including Root of Trust, Secure/Measured Boot, attestation, firmware integrity, and key lifecycle management.
• Drive the implementation of UEFI Secure Boot (PK, KEK, db, dbx), including enrollment, rotation, revocation, and debug processes.
• Integrate security protocols into Linux and SONiC environments, focusing on ONIE, kernel integrity, driver security, and firmware update mechanisms.
• Define and manage manufacturing and field provisioning of keys and certificates to ensure platform identity.
• Conduct thorough platform threat modeling, lead security reviews, and provide mentorship to engineering teams across hardware, firmware, and software domains.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 6 years of related experience, or PhD with 3 years of related experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in C/C++ and Python/shell, with demonstrated ability to debug across firmware, Linux, and hardware layers.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in platform, firmware, or system security.
• Minimum 5 years of specific expertise in UEFI Secure Boot, Linux boot/kernel architectures, and hardware Root of Trust (TPM or equivalent).
• 8 years of strong Linux system expertise, covering boot processes, kernels, drivers, and firmware interfaces within SONiC or similar networking operating systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with OpenBMC, Caliptra/DICE, or PKI/X.509 standards.
• Proficiency in kernel/module signing and working with NPU platforms.
• Familiarity with FIPS/Common Criteria compliance or relevant open-source security contributions.

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 $186,900.00 to $267,700.00 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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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:

$186,900.00 - $307,800.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$166,300.00 - $274,100.00

* 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.