Principal Engineering Project & Program Management

Cisco•San Jose, CA

2d•$225,000 - $374,100•Onsite

About The Position

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Within CHG, the Systems & Optics Team (SaO) serves as the execution engine for Cisco's most strategic hardware initiatives. We partner across silicon, engineering, product management, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, and executive leadership to transform technology strategy into successful product delivery. Our mission is to provide program leadership, governance, transparency, and execution rigor across highly complex system development programs, shaping the future of hyperscale infrastructure.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering with 15+ years or master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering with 12+ years of experience leading large-scale, multi-functional hardware development programs, including complex system-level products with significant technical dependencies.
Proven experience leading programs involving custom ASICs, silicon development, SoCs, or advanced semiconductor technologies.
Experience with driving executive-level decision-making, partner alignment, and large programs across matrixed organizations without direct organizational authority.
Holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional)

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with hyperscale cloud providers and managing large-scale datacenter infrastructure deployments.
Deep understanding of hardware product development lifecycles (architecture, design, validation, manufacturing, qualification) for computer, networking, switching, optics, or AI infrastructure.
Strong executive presence with exceptional communication, negotiation, and influence skills to thrive in highly ambiguous environments.
Experience leading first-generation platform introductions and programs involving significant technology innovation.

Responsibilities

Direct and own the end-to-end execution of Cisco's most critical hyperscale system programs, guiding products from concept definition through customer deployment.
Lead large-scale, multi-year programs involving system architecture, custom ASICs/silicon development, hardware engineering, software, operations, and manufacturing.
Establish executive-level program governance, operating mechanisms, risk management frameworks, and decision-making processes to ensure delivery predictability, quality, and business outcomes.
Drive synchronization across independent internal silicon organizations, platform engineering, validation, and customer deployment activities, anticipating and mitigating risks associated with first-generation technologies.
Influence and align senior technical leaders, VPs, and executive partners across matrixed organizations, driving resolution of complex multi-functional issues and resource constraints.
Partner directly with strategic hyperscale account team to understand requirements, lead qualification planning, and ensure successful delivery of products that meet performance, cost, and schedule objectives.
Provide leadership and direction across Engineering Services, setting strategy, planning resourcing, and establishing program management and Agile principles for high-quality product delivery.

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
Cisco restricted stock units
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
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (non-exempt)
flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer