Principal Customer Program Manager

Cisco•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Cisco Silicon One is the center of Cisco’s ASIC design and is driving the development of next-generation network devices for the AI/ML era. Our outstanding team works in a startup atmosphere within a stable and leading corporate environment, and our design center hosts all silicon Hardware and Software development fields under one roof. Define the strategy and execution plans for successfully integrating SiliconOne products in customer environments, from evaluation/proof-of-concept to design/development/qualification/validation, to production launch. Execute the plan you craft by: scoping the project, identifying and assembling the core support team, formally kicking off the project with customers, developing a joint project timeline, supporting the design-in effort by providing technical collateral/tools, leading engineering design reviews, ensuring the implementation of certain customer-required features, driving resolution of any blocking issues, and ensuring timely customer acceptance and production deployment. Translate customer requirements into specific tasks and assign those tasks to relevant functional areas with ease. Collecting, prioritizing, tracking, and driving customer-reported issues to resolution/closure is a key focus of this role. Clearly and intelligently communicate issue status to the customer and internal (including executive) teams. Work closely with engineering, product management, and sales teams to resolve technical issues, set accurate expectations and keep the scope of the projects on track to successful execution. Effectively organize and lead complex technical engineering-to-engineering discussions. Correctly represent the urgency of issues and raise them (internally and/or externally) as appropriate. Regularly communicate program status and key issues to management. Develop a close working relationship with customer development teams and use creativity to find solutions to their issues. 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.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in high-tech electronics, specifically leading large-scale program and project management initiatives
Deep technical expertise in cloud development, deployment, or OEM environments
Proven track record of managing high-stakes hardware and software engagements for strategic datacenter customers
Hands-on experience working across the full product stack—including Software, ASIC, and Hardware—with a focus on managing end-to-end customer deliveries
Expert leadership capabilities, with the ability to drive execution across diverse, cross-functional global teams
Advanced problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills to manage complex dependencies and project risks
Ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable, high-impact roadmaps for both engineering teams and external partners

Nice To Haves

Strong technical background in system, HW, and SW qualification for AI infrastructure, cloud/DC environments, or networking ASICs
Strategic mindset: ability to navigate complex organizational environments, identify cross-functional connections, and adapt to shifting circumstances
Proven comfort with high levels of ambiguity and the ability to thrive in rapidly evolving technical landscapes
Exceptional cross-boundary collaboration skills, with a track record of importing and exporting talent and ideas to achieve broader organizational goals
Excellent written and verbal communication skills that drive executive-level impact and clarity at scale

Responsibilities

Define the strategy and execution plans for successfully integrating SiliconOne products in customer environments, from evaluation/proof-of-concept to design/development/qualification/validation, to production launch
Execute the plan you craft by: scoping the project, identifying and assembling the core support team, formally kicking off the project with customers, developing a joint project timeline, supporting the design-in effort by providing technical collateral/tools, leading engineering design reviews, ensuring the implementation of certain customer-required features, driving resolution of any blocking issues, and ensuring timely customer acceptance and production deployment
Translate customer requirements into specific tasks and assign those tasks to relevant functional areas with ease
Collecting, prioritizing, tracking, and driving customer-reported issues to resolution/closure is a key focus of this role
Clearly and intelligently communicate issue status to the customer and internal (including executive) teams
Work closely with engineering, product management, and sales teams to resolve technical issues, set accurate expectations and keep the scope of the projects on track to successful execution
Effectively organize and lead complex technical engineering-to-engineering discussions
Correctly represent the urgency of issues and raise them (internally and/or externally) as appropriate
Regularly communicate program status and key issues to management
Develop a close working relationship with customer development teams and use creativity to find solutions to their issues

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
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
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