Leader, Engineering Project & Program Management

Cisco • Elk Grove Township, NC

3d • $191,400 - $323,600

About The Position

The Senior Leader Engineering Project and Program Manager within Cisco’s Security Business Group (SBG) will lead and manage complex engineering projects to develop infrastructure that transforms the way that our organization develops software using AI models and tools. This role requires a strategic leader with deep technical expertise, strong project management skills, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve business outcomes aligned with Cisco’s AI Transformation vision.

Requirements

• Bachelors + 12 years of related experience, or Masters + 8 years of related experience, or PhD + 5 years of related experience
• Experience leading engineering projects and programs in cybersecurity or related technology domains.
• Experience with security technologies, enterprise software, cloud services, and networking principles.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in project management methodologies, tools, and frameworks (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, PMP certification preferred).
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and dependencies.
• Experience with AI foundation models, AI-driven software development or general AI concepts, like prompts, skills and harnesses.
• Experience managing budgets, financials, and vendor/partner relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project and program management for large-scale, complex AI transformation engineering initiatives within the Security Business Group.
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, architecture, and cross-functional teams to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables aligned with business goals.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, risks, and resources to ensure on-time, within-budget, and high-quality delivery.
• Identify and mitigate risks and issues proactively, developing contingency plans to maintain project momentum.
• Drive coordination and communication across multiple teams and stakeholders, including partner and third-party resources when applicable.
• Support contract change management processes and ensure compliance with Cisco’s policies and procedures.
• Engage with senior leadership to provide project status, escalate critical issues, and align on strategic priorities.
• Facilitate adoption of best practices, tools, and methodologies for project and program management within the Security Business Group.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of Cisco’s security product and solution roadmap, supporting innovation and market growth.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• paid parental leave
• short and long-term disability coverage
• basic life insurance
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
• paid year-end holiday shutdown
• 4 paid days off for personal wellness
• flexible vacation time off program
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
• optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
• annual bonuses
• performance-based incentive pay

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior