Engineering Program Manager
About The Position
Cisco’s 10-member program management team serves as the strategic engine for its Enterprise Networking business, driving technical initiatives across embedded systems and cloud. The work focuses on integrating security and using AI to simplify network operations, while bridging the gap between initial concepts and successful customer delivery. The Engineering Program Manager leads high-stakes, large-scale programs with complex cross-functional dependencies. The role promotes operational excellence through improved workflows and continuous technical improvement, uses data-driven metrics to monitor performance and guide course corrections, and manages budgets, resources, and critical-path schedules. It also presents program results and actionable recommendations to executive leadership to support business decisions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience as an engineering program manager in the networking domain or a related field, or a master’s degree and 6 years of related experience.
- Experience managing complex cross-functional programs using Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid methodologies described in the Cisco Product Development Methodology.
- Experience with Atlassian Jira and Confluence.
- Networking-domain experience with network devices, including Catalyst 9k and Cisco 9k products, and network controllers, both on-premises (Catalyst Center) and cloud-based (Cisco Switching Cloud and Cisco Cloud Control).
- Knowledge of AI tools and hands-on ability to build dashboards and automations using OpenAI Codex.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to mentor and coach other program managers or cross-functional team members.
- Expertise in building and maintaining relationships with senior-level stakeholders across global business units.
- Experience developing and implementing CI/CD strategies or quality-assurance tools to streamline development lifecycles.
- Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical roadmaps to non-technical executives.
- History of identifying, documenting, and resolving systemic project roadblocks to improve future operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Lead high-stakes, large-scale programs involving complex cross-functional interdependencies.
- Implement best practices to optimize workflows and promote continuous technical improvement.
- Use data-driven metrics to track performance, guide course corrections, and support efficient project execution.
- Manage program budgets, resources, and critical-path schedules.
- Present program achievements and actionable recommendations to executive leadership.
- Mentor and coach program managers or cross-functional team members to support professional growth.
- Build and maintain relationships with senior-level stakeholders across global business units.
- Identify, document, and resolve systemic project roadblocks to improve operational efficiency.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Basic life insurance
- Restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and vesting conditions
- Paid holidays, including a floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- Paid birthday day off
- Paid year-end holiday shutdown
- Personal wellness days
- Vacation time or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
- Paid sick time
- Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
- Optional paid volunteer days
- Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
